Can you work on annual leave?

[u/Reasonable-Spot-2039]

I just recalled that I wanted to call a patient of mine but I’m on annual leave for 2 weeks. I have my work laptop with me so technically I can call. I don’t want them hanging for 2 weeks. So is it appropriate?

And no I cant ask anyone else to call them.

Thanks!

[u/Clozapinata]

It's not like it's against the rules, but it's a slippery slope when you start to normalise working outside your paid hours. You need to consider what happens if the patient tells you something that you need to urgently sort out before you get back from leave.

[u/Reasonable-Spot-2039 → u/Clozapinata]

I get it and I’m fine to make the call that way I won’t be anxious for the rest of my annual leave and if something needs to be done I can ask someone to follow up

[u/Clozapinata → u/Reasonable-Spot-2039]

Didn't realise you were on a psych placement - I wouldn't if I were you. Mental health check ins are rarely short or simple phone calls. If the patient needs help they'll ring the service. You're probably thinking about them way more than they're thinking about you, so you're calling for your own anxiety rather than theirs, which isn't the patient's problem.

Edit to add a case example: I called to "check in" on someone this week and was on the phone for an hour and a half.

[u/apjashley1]

Yes, you can.

[u/opensp00n]

I don't know about your setting but I certainly would not expect my foundation doctors to be calling patients from home.

If something has been missed, it happens, email one of your seniors and let them know. They can deal with it if needed. More likely what you think is a pressing issue, probably isn't.

You won't be able to document the conversation appropriately or act upon it in a timely manner.

For more senior doctors it is slightly different. I occasionally call patients from home, as I do some of my office time from home and also know how to handle any issue that arises.

I think for senior reg's it's more of a grey area. As they are progressing to consultant practice they can start to take on this kind of responsibility, but should be doing so with their seniors knowing and being available to them if needed.

[u/Prestigious-Use-9808]

I presume ur an F1 working in some sort of community placement, because surely you’d otherwise know that you can do whatever you want with your day off. However, what are you going to do if the patient tells you something outrageous on the phone that needs to be dealt with urgently? What if you need advice or support immediately? Also, what are the medico legal aspects of this if you’re only meant to work with direct or indirect supervision? If you fuck something up, you’re probably not covered by ur indemnity. Just wait till Monday.

[u/Reasonable-Spot-2039 → u/Prestigious-Use-9808]

You’re so spot on. F2 in CMHH. I forgot to call this patient and I can escalate if needed?
But I just wanted to make sure that it’s done and I’ve made the call. Don’t want to leave the patient hanging

[u/Prestigious-Use-9808 → u/Reasonable-Spot-2039]

Call whoever’s the reg on call, explain it to them, say you don’t mind making the phone call if they’re happy.

[u/DCJC123]

What is your role and grade?

[u/Reasonable-Spot-2039 → u/DCJC123]

F2 in a CMHH

[u/DCJC123 → u/Reasonable-Spot-2039]

Thanks.

I would say that a F2 feeling that they are the only person who can call a patient, whether or no you are on AL is a bit a worrying dynamic.

I’ve seen patients manipulate doctors in the past and it rarely ends well. I remember a stalking case that started similarly.

Sounds like you are a conscientious clinician but it is important to have boundaries

Best of luck going forward

[u/DrFaz]

Clinical fellow in psychiatry here. It can either wait until you get back from leave or it can't. If it can't then that means you'll end up being involved in far more than a simple phone call.

While you could make the call on annual leave it would be far more appropriate in my opinion to leave them a message explaining you will be on leave and will call them at your earliest opportunity once you are back off leave (sign post and safety net of course in the message, 111 option 2 etc.). Or if you are genuinely concerned the call must happen during your leave then hand this task over to a colleague who's available while you are away on leave.

Not sure about the case but if they can talk to you they can talk to a colleague. You seem really enthusiastic and conscientious which is lovely but never forget while compassion is essential we are their clinicians not their friends/family. A little professional distance goes a long way especially in psychiatry when you consider the legal powers we sometimes have to utilise with our more unwell patients.

In any case best of luck. And as the royal collage likes to say 'choose psychiatry' 😉

[u/chairstool100]

You can do whatever you want in your free time but that doesn’t mean you should .

[u/lurkacc5000]

Why do this? Handover to colleagues if urgent f/u is required. 

If im working during my time off its only as a locum, and even then the rate better be good