Face of general practice has changed beyond recognition in last few years.A second class of GPs has emerged as being massively popular called as salaried GPs.New GP contract and squeeze on funds by government in last couple of years has led to rise in prevalence of thinking that a salaried GP is a relatively cheaper option.This is detrimental for profession in general and newly qualified GPs in particular.Although it allows them to settle down into the world of general practice as a clinician, they miss on administrative and business side of things.Less number of GP jobs have resulted in a surplus which currently works in favour of the government agenda of privatisation as it creates divisions amongst GPs as people without jobs will be willing to work for any hours and for anyone including Tescos and Boots. In addition, this has almost created a hierarchy of authority amongst GPs.The profession needs a debate whether this is a healthy trend for general practice lest they will have to share the blame for demise of primary care doctors.
Competing interests: None declared
Saturday, 12 July 2008
Monday, 7 July 2008
NHS at 60-International perspective
DR KAMAL SIDHU, SUNDERLAND, UK
When I was a medical student in India, there was an aggressive marketing campaign to recruit new doctors for the NHS. Talks at medical school promised jobs and training but when I came to the UK in 2003 I realised I hadn't read the small print. There was a surplus of doctors and it was very hard to get a job.
I finally found a great job working as a GP in Sunderland. I feel fortunate to be working in a job that I enjoy but others have not been so lucky. Sudden changes to the immigration laws have meant that lots of overseas doctors have had to leave the UK, uprooting their families and often returning home in serious debt.
In India, doctors are considered as almost equal to God but in the UK you are more answerable to your patients. There are good sides to the NHS, it's wonderful to be able to do your job without worrying about whether the patient can afford treatment, as is the case in India or the US.
My visa is due for extension next year, it's hard as I don't know what will happen. Having trained in the UK, I feel I have a moral duty to work for the NHS to pay back into the system. I enjoy working for the NHS but the immigration laws have cast a cloud over my career.
When I was a medical student in India, there was an aggressive marketing campaign to recruit new doctors for the NHS. Talks at medical school promised jobs and training but when I came to the UK in 2003 I realised I hadn't read the small print. There was a surplus of doctors and it was very hard to get a job.
I finally found a great job working as a GP in Sunderland. I feel fortunate to be working in a job that I enjoy but others have not been so lucky. Sudden changes to the immigration laws have meant that lots of overseas doctors have had to leave the UK, uprooting their families and often returning home in serious debt.
In India, doctors are considered as almost equal to God but in the UK you are more answerable to your patients. There are good sides to the NHS, it's wonderful to be able to do your job without worrying about whether the patient can afford treatment, as is the case in India or the US.
My visa is due for extension next year, it's hard as I don't know what will happen. Having trained in the UK, I feel I have a moral duty to work for the NHS to pay back into the system. I enjoy working for the NHS but the immigration laws have cast a cloud over my career.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)