• Question: How often do you get to spend quality time with your family or friends?

    Asked by Amna to Simon, Katharine, Jonathan, Emma, Chris, Shehla on 20 Jun 2017. This question was also asked by meg.w.
    • Photo: Christopher Symonds

      Christopher Symonds answered on 20 Jun 2017:

      I have always tried to ensure that my work does not stop me from spending quality time with my friends and family however with 10 grandchildren I can not always get to everything I would like. I am lucky however as I work flexy time so I work longer hours sometimes so that I can take the time off a later date when I want to do something.

    • Photo: Emma Rowe

      Emma Rowe answered on 20 Jun 2017:

      I work 4 long days out of the week. Legally, I can’t work more than 2 in a row so I always have a day off on Wednesday as well as the weekends off…for now! That makes it fairly easy for me to see my friends and family when I want, however lots of my friends are nurses so we have to fit around their shifts too.

    • Photo: Katharine Bradbury

      Katharine Bradbury answered on 20 Jun 2017:

      I work 3-4 Saturday mornings per year but otherwise get to spend quality time with my family and friends every weekend.

    • Photo: Jonathan Harte

      Jonathan Harte answered on 20 Jun 2017:

      In 2004 the GP contract changed to split evening, night and weekend work from the regular daytime work. Before that GPs were contractually responsible for the care of their patients 24hrs per day. After 2004 we could finish at 6.30-7pm and go home knowing we wouldn’t get called so cold relax until the next day or plan family stuff at weekends. So I do get to see my family and friends more now than before.
      Work-Life balance is incredibly important if you want to avoid burnout.

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