A fellow intern calls in and says she's taking a week off. What should you do?

A fellow intern calls in and says she's taking a week off. What should you do?

• A. Discuss with fellow intern why they are taking a week off and making sure they're ok, asking if they've informed MWU/rest of the team and if it was planned leave
• B. Inform medical workforce unit
• C. Job allocation issues need to be sorted out: discussing with team/reg and consultant about how to divide jobs up
• D. Any cover staff available?

Answer: (A)

When a colleague calls in to take time off, the priority is to look after their well‑being while also ensuring clear communication and proper planning for the team. The best approach is to check in with them, understand why they’re taking a week off, and confirm that their leave has been planned and is being communicated to the medical workforce unit and the rest of the team. This shows care for the person, supports their needs, and builds a safe, predictable workflow for patients and colleagues. Once you’ve assessed their wellbeing and confirmed proper notification, you can work through coverage and handover with the team as needed. Relying solely on admin steps or seeking cover without first addressing the person’s situation can miss important welfare signals and may undermine team trust and patient safety.

When a colleague calls in to take time off, the priority is to look after their well‑being while also ensuring clear communication and proper planning for the team. The best approach is to check in with them, understand why they’re taking a week off, and confirm that their leave has been planned and is being communicated to the medical workforce unit and the rest of the team. This shows care for the person, supports their needs, and builds a safe, predictable workflow for patients and colleagues. Once you’ve assessed their wellbeing and confirmed proper notification, you can work through coverage and handover with the team as needed. Relying solely on admin steps or seeking cover without first addressing the person’s situation can miss important welfare signals and may undermine team trust and patient safety.