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1/ Now the embargo has lifted, I’ve had time to read the @lengreview in full. While some celebrate minor cosmetic wins, I see the formal entrenchment of a parallel, underqualified medical workforce — built without medical training.
Dr Matt Kneale (🦋drmk.link)
20.9K posts
Dr Matt Kneale (🦋drmk.link)
@drmattuk
- Tomorrow, a crucial piece of legislation around healthcare will be scrutinised by MPs. It will happen in a committee room, away from the main chambers, on a whisper. If it passes, it will worsen the health of the UK population. Did you know about it? No? A thread 🧵
- I remember one of my on call shifts, being placed on AMU overnight and seeing more than a handful of patients who didn't survive the night. Not one of them had their family present — often just a HCA or nurse holding their hand whilst they went. You should have criminal records.
00:00 - When my ballot paper arrives, sometime from tomorrow, I am voting for industrial action with @TheBMA. I entered medicine in 2015 with the anticipation that the career—whilst brutally hard on your emotions, intellect and social life—would allow me a comfortable life.
- Does this grifter have any limits to his depravity? Let the man rest in peace. You have no evidence for this. @gmcuk — you have been told repeatedly that this doctor is spreading misinformation. You had time to suspend someone for using a tube ticket, might you act on this?
- It’s one thing to disagree with strike action; another entirely to publicly denounce a fight for fair pay. You trained with free tuition, lived in hospital accommodation and had far better pay. Have you forgotten what it means to be stretched?
- In 2020 I started early as a junior doctor. Graduated early due to the pandemic and straight to ward life. In summer last year, that NHS trust sent debt collectors after me. No communication, just 'we paid you £700 too much, repay now'. Paraphrased obviously. Personal win 👇 /1
- Today on the medical take in A&E I have been drawing up my own medications, administering them, doing urine dips + MC&S, whilst still clerking patients + arranging investigations. @theresecoffey — you have your head in the sand. We need more nurses and enough pay to retain them.
- Replying to @drmattukThis situation is the equivalent, without any degree of irony, of a paralegal being paid more than a senior associate lawyer in many aspects. It is not far removed from a flight assistant out-earning the pilot, whilst having a go flying the plane.
- Replying to @gregfoley2002Rest in peace, and thank you for your efforts to fight misinformation. I'm sorry this horrible virus cost you everything.
- Susan died following grossly inappropriate and negligent care by a PA. We are told time and time again that these cases are rare, but they shouldn't be happening. PAs simply must act within their competence; something that hasn't been happening.
- (1/10) Another patient has died due to a PA. Most concerned about PAs have probably heard of a few key cases already: -Emily Chesterton, died following misdiagnosis of a PE -Christopher Tucker, died in hospital following an inappropriate procedure & poor antibiotic management
- Replying to @drmattukThe natural rebuttal to this is that "doctors make mistakes too". We know, and we try to prevent it at all costs. The difference is that we make mistakes with the gold standard of education and training. How does removing those standards for cheaper alternatives make sense?
- Replying to @drmattukAh, but one further thing — they are not cheaper. A foundation doctor, who might oversee the work of a PA on a ward and prescribe for them, gets paid a salary of £28,274 pa for a 9-5 job. A first day PA would receive £35,392.
