Sir, - Upon perusing the classified employment ads I have always noted with amusement the lack of detail provided for those ads seeking non-consultant hospital doctors. I wonder if this is because such a detailed ad would have to run thus:
Urgently Required: Due to record rates of drop-out and suicide, we urgently require young, medically qualified graduates to work in a challenging hospital environment.
Hours committed to work currently vary between 70 and 120 hours per week, at an attractive overtime premium of 50 per cent of basic pay. An ability to make life-and-death decisions while sleep-deprived at 4 a.m. is a definite advantage.
Unfortunately, due to pressures of service provision we are currently unable to provide any formal training so this must be done in candidate's own time. A willingness to relocate every six months (uncompensated, naturally) is a must. While we would like to make allowances for those doctors with families, we don't.
Unfortunately, due to lack of senior positions, successful candidates may find after five to 10 years of ad hoc training that they are forced to emigrate.
All of the above requirements are reflected in an attractive basic remuneration of £17,500.
How the Irish Medical Organisation is pleased or proud of these arrangements is beyond my understanding. - Yours, etc.,
David Robinson, MA, MB, BCH, BAO, Portobello Harbour, Dublin 6.