Public or private: where would you choose to work? — Private

Neurosurgeon Terry Coyne explains why he left the public hospital system

PRIVATE: After completing my specialist training and overseas fellowship, I spent 11 years working between five and six sessions a week as a visiting medical officer (VMO) in neurosurgery at adult and paediatric public hospitals. The remainder of my working week, I worked in private practice. Several years ago, I resigned from my public appointments. There were a number of reasons for this. I accept that things may be different now, that my circumstances may have been unique to me or to my specialty, or that I was too sensitive. Nonetheless, my reasons for leaving the public system are outlined, in no particular order, below.