Dr. John-Paul Byrne:

I absolutely agree. That relates to the work–life balance issue we talked about. I am aware that work–life balance was brought up at various meetings of the committee in respect of different healthcare professions. However, it is not just about the number of hours; it is also about the intensity of the work when at work. The doctors are working harder and faster than ever before, yet still do not feel they are getting on top of anything. It goes back to the rota system, whereby doctors cannot predict when their day will end. It also goes back to the mobility of NCHDs, who have to move to a new place every few months, leaving behind family, friends and support networks. When we talk about work–life balance, we often say it is about really long hours.

Yes the hours are long and exhausting, but it is the quantity of the hours and the intensity of the work time. It is the unpredictability of their work time. They do not know when they are going to finish so they cannot dedicate any specific time to something outside of work such as hobbies or social life. On top of that they have the mobility of moving around. When those things are added together it has huge impacts on their mental, social and physical well-being, on their relationships with families and friends, and also on their career decisions which underlines many of the retention issues. We have had doctors tell us that sometimes it felt like a choice between pursuing their profession or being a functioning, normal human being. It is a really stark thing and it is something that cannot be said but it is a huge issue. Those hours are a huge issue.