Dr. Niamh Humphries:

During our time speaking to doctors last year, the Sláintecare contracts were leaked. They spoke about it in our study. What came across from respondents is that appeared that the kind of geographic mobility, uncertainty and long working hours of NCHD life might continue into consultancy. That was something our respondents did not want. NCHDs put up with much uncertainty, high mobility and long working hours during their training but presume that, as they reach consultancy, this will come to an end and they will have the opportunity to put down roots, know where they are going to work and be kind of geographically stable. One of our respondents talked about planting plants, just having a garden and somewhere they know they will be. The fear with the Sláintecare contract is that the long working hours, uncertainty and instability will follow them into consultancy. Our respondents just want a normal job with normal working hours. Few of them have interest in private practice. They are very interested in stability, security, predictability and work-life balance. That is the Holy Grail and what we need to be moving towards for hospital doctors.