NHS offers the best medical training

Often, when discussing with my registrars and consultants my future options and the idea of leaving the NHS is inevitably brought up, I am met with "Oh, but the NHS offers the best training in the world".

Now, I know foundation years are not meant to be learning years, but if even the one weekly hour we get is completely useless, it does not really set an amazing prospect.

When I enlighten my consultants with this fact, they are often surprised, like they expected us to be revising pharmacology or discussing the latest ophthalmic research for 1.30hr instead of having yet another GMC talk on professionalism via zoom that we can barely hear.

Or yet again, if I am asked: "So what have you been taught so far in this rotation?" I cannot help but answer with a spontaneous giggle, because, really, what have I been taught that I didn't just look up myself?

I know there are other systems, like the German one, where ward-based training virtually does not exist. I also know NHS-trained doctors have historically been internationally acclaimed. I am aware that you get what you put in.

But, surely, whichever training the registrars and the consultants are referring to is dead? Or am I missing something? Is my just DGH that shit? Is there a widely available resource I have misplaced?

I am obviously not attacking my seniors. I see every day how the system works against them and us, and I do appreciate those that go above and beyond to teach us. I also appreciate that us rotating every time Ruby finally opens her bowels is unhelpful on the human front.

So, my question is, what makes the NHS today such a great place to be trained up to be a specialist? Do you just have to be lucky and find a good mentor (which is not feasible anyway anymore)? Are we (2016 contract holders) just doomed to be the mediocre consultant who rolls up at 10:30 for a 8am WR, jokes around with the PAs, does a 2min WR, comes up with no plans, and leaves the 2 F1s covering a 45 patients-ward actively drowning?