I love being a consultant in the NHS. Many years ago, I loved being a junior doctor. Even when I was working a 120-hour week, undeniably exhausted and a long way from what is now called work-life balance, I was sustained by a metaphorical – and occasionally real – mentor’s arm around my shoulder telling me that one day, all this could be mine.
Medical apprenticeships now are no easier than they were: weekends on call have been replaced by punishing 12-hour shifts. A doctor coming on shift is handed a long list of tasks: when they eventually hand over to the next team, they pass on a similar one. Many teams are understaffed, there is not much continuity of care, often not much feedback on performance and, increasingly, not much thanks and appreciation.
