300,000 jobs in public sector face the axe

[OwlHoot]

Umm, I agree with AtW on this.

There's a basic economics law called diminishing returns, you get to a point where you pay them so muc and they're less interested in money and more interested in working hours/conditions etc. No one is suggesting Doctors should be low paid, but 140,000 is a **** load of money, and I'm sure 40k less won't maker a huge difference to their lives or hours worked, but does mean there's more money to go around for other Doctors/nurses or just savings.

But let's not forget they aren't a sitting target - If you reduce their pay by much, if at all, they'll simply hoof it off to the US.

Wasn't that the problem before? A big brain drain, which meant the UK had to import hordes of thirld-world doctors and nurses (after the expense of training UK equivalents who then left).

[shaunbhoy]

But let's not forget they aren't a sitting target - If you reduce their pay by much, if at all, they'll simply hoof it off to the US.

Wasn't that the problem before? A big brain drain, which meant the UK had to import hordes of thirld-world doctors and nurses (after the expense of training UK equivalents who then left).

Unusually, AtW hit the nail on the head. The damage has been done where the doctors are concerned. Not that I begrudge them a good salary mind you. However what happened was that their salary rose enormously well at a time when they also negotiated a considerable drop in their hours. A real double whammy for them. We cannot realistically change what has happened easily, but at the very least some swingeing pay freezing has to occur for a while.
I would also go so far as to suggest the government should be offering to cover the Uni costs of prospective doctors, to attract more people into the profession, with the obvious caveat that they must subsequently serve a reasonable time working within the NHS to repay these subsidies.

[snaw]

But let's not forget they aren't a sitting target - If you reduce their pay by much, if at all, they'll simply hoof it off to the US.

Wasn't that the problem before? A big brain drain, which meant the UK had to import hordes of thirld-world doctors and nurses (after the expense of training UK equivalents who then left).

Well we're talking about Doctors - I don't think nurses are overpaid so not sure it's relevent.

BUT .. so what? My family doctor growing up from pakistan, and apart from struggling with his accent sometimes I had no issues with him. Why should I care if a UK Dr thinks 100 g's isn't enough and someone from a 3rd world country, who's good enough (key), comes and does his job for half the money? He provides the same service, pays taxes here etc. Really doesn't bother me in the slightest.