An NHS Consultant Salary isn’t as High as You Think - and Other Senior Doctor Myths

Is it worth your time, life, and energy to become a Consultant in your chosen medical specialty? Especially when being a Consultant in the NHS isn't the holy grail it once used to be.

I’m with Dr Ola Abbas, Founder's Associate at Medic Footprints and a dually trained Consultant in Acute Medicine and Intensive Care, talking about the misconceptions around getting to the top, salary, leadership and management training and the alternatives to becoming a Consultant.

We also discuss the questions you need to ask when looking at making a change and why Ola is divorcing the NHS despite being a Consultant in two specialties.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• What I thought it would be is not what it really is really is.
• In the private sector, it's more streamlined, and efficient and things get done. There is a result, payment is better and there is recognition.
• As doctors, we don’t think about the different ways we can use our skills.
• When I got into business, I realised I was trading my time and skills for very little money in the NHS.
• You have to work your way through projects, leadership, management, and teaching to move up as a Consultant.
• Make sure you have the appropriate expectations for the job and top up your financial education.
• It's not about the salary at the end of the day, there are more priorities in life.
• I can see what’s out there and that I can have a bigger voice and make a positive impact in other avenues that speak to my passion.
• I’m divorcing the NHS and for me, it’s to be in alignment with my values and honor my priorities in life.

 

BEST MOMENTS

‘We are massively underpaid for the risk and responsibility we take on.’

‘As a consultant, 95% of my job is managing people and politics and 5% is clinical.’

‘When you get to consultant level you have to keep climbing the mountain to distinguish yourself from other consultants.’

‘It's about values, recognition and having a voice.’

 

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ABOUT THE HOST

Dr Abeyna Bubbers-Jones is a practising medical doctor and Founder of Medic Footprints: the global platform connecting doctors with diverse career opportunities beyond conventional medicine.

Her mission is to dramatically elevate health outcomes in the world by connecting 1 million doctors with diverse careers by 2030.

Continually exploring her own path off the medical treadmill, she has developed a wealth of expertise in specialist recruitment connecting industry & health tech companies with talented doctors, whilst supporting & coaching doctors in their own career development and wellbeing.

She is an award-winning entrepreneur, Consultant Occupational Health Physician, BBC Expert Voice, Public Speaker, Musician and not-so-good boulderer!

 

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