A disabled doctor, who believes teh NHS sees it as “too challenging or inconvenient” to give her support, has considered leaving.
Dr Alice gatenby said senior colleagues told her she is “not a real doctor” because her epilepsy means she does not work night shifts.
A survey by the British Medical Association (BMA) of more than 800 disabled and neurodivergent doctors and medical students found more## NHS Staff Forced to Leave Due to Ill Health as flexible Working Requests Denied
Despite facing doctor shortages, many healthcare professionals are being forced to leave secure NHS positions due to a lack of flexible working options to manage their own health conditions. Dr. liz Murray, who worked for the NHS for over a decade, experienced this firsthand. Her repeated requests for flexible working arrangements to accommodate her health needs were consistently denied.
This ultimately led her to leave a role offering benefits like sick pay and maternity leave, opting instead for locum work which provided the necessary flexibility. “I was seen as the problem – I realised how much of a toll it was taking on my health and had to say enough is enough,” Dr. Murray explained. She now works full-time, but on terms that prioritize her well-being.
Driven by her experience, Dr. Murray also founded the charity Mortal and Strong, dedicated to supporting individuals living with life-changing, chronic conditions.“`html
