Ex-Junior Doctor Describes Stress Of Working On The NHS Frontline

29 August 2018, 14:07 | Updated: 29 August 2018, 14:15

Adam Kay, a former doctor turned writer, told James O'Brien he left his job because he couldn't cope with the emotional baggage.

The former doctor spoke about the current exodus of medical professionals leaving their jobs because of the pressure.

Adam told James: "I can't look on Facebook or Twitter that you know saying no brilliant doctors you know leaving their profession to leaving the country joining the city become a teacher

"I know one doctor who's in the middle of becoming a fireman - imagine a world where being a firefighter is a less stressful existence than being a doctor."

When James asked Adam what had changed, he replied: "The key thing is the amount of money in the system and less resources means a crisis in recruitment and a crisis in retention.

Ex-Junior Doctor Describes Stress Of Working On The NHS Frontline
Ex-Junior Doctor Describes Stress Of Working On The NHS Frontline. Picture: LBC

"Imagine doing [the job] when you're covering three people's bleeps when you're in a ward that's got 50 per cent of the nurses, where five of your colleagues are missing.

"The reason I left is that I had a very bad day at work... I worked on a labour ward and all you ever want is a healthy mum and a healthy baby and this was a day when I ended up with neither and I was the most senior person there. I just realised I didn't have the emotional exoskeleton to deal with the job.

"I couldn't face that happening ever again."

Caller Harry

Pilot Harry gives his reaction to Gatwick-bound plane crash

LBC caller tells James O’Brien how she ended up homeless as a result of the 'disastrous' mini-budget in 2022.

Liz Truss' 'disastrous' mini budget left this LBC caller homeless

LBC callers react

How successful was Greta Thunberg’s aid mission?: LBC callers react

Caller Hanisa

Hanisa explains to James O’Brien that it’s her choice alone to wear the Burqa

Caller Lisa from California responds to Donald Trump summoning the National Guard to LA over the protests.

Californian caller responds to Trump sending the National Guard to LA

James O'Brien Batman Caller

Caller Luke’s nickname for Robert Jenrick amuses James O’Brien

Furious 80-year-old caller takes over the James O'Brien show

Furious 80-year-old caller takes over the James O'Brien show

Mental health nurse calls James O’Brien to discuss drug decriminalisation

Mental health nurse calls James O’Brien to discuss drug decriminalisation

Caller James admits to dangerous e-scooter driving whilst backing better safety regulations

Caller James admits to dangerous e-scooter driving whilst backing better safety regulations

James O'Brien caller on water

Caller explains how ‘corporate finance’ has been ‘catastrophic’ for water companies

LBC caller John believes police were 'right' to release Liverpool suspect's ethnicity

LBC caller John believes police were 'right' to release Liverpool suspect's ethnicity

'Mate, I love you'

James' conversation with Barry, who had a chemical castration, takes an unexpectedly wholesome turn

James vs LBC caller: Immigration debate ends more amicably than it starts

James O'Brien vs LBC caller: Immigration debate ends more amicably than it starts

'Necessary and important': British-Israeli caller phones James O'Brien

'Necessary and important': British-Israeli caller phones James O'Brien

James O'Brien's callers praise EU deal

James O'Brien's callers praise EU deal

Brexiteer calls James O’Brien ‘to see how many times he’d be interrupted’

Brexiteer calls James O’Brien ‘to see how many times he’d be interrupted’