Junior doctors shortage hits NHS
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Doctors' leaders will this week present the Government with "compelling evidence" of a widespread shortage in their numbers.
Junior doctors are being forced to work extra hours, often unpaid, to fill gaps in rotas left by colleagues who have completed their training. Many are on maternity or long-term sick leave. The British Medical Association (BMA) says a controversial new recruitment system is largely to blame. The system creates a fixed start and end date for jobs, greatly reducing staff flexibility, says the BMA.
It warns that some hospitals have only 50 per cent of the junior doctors they need. "We are going to end up going back to junior doctors working 80 to 100-hour weeks, which will impact not only on their training and health, but also patient care," said Ram Moorthy, chairman of the BMA Junior Doctors' Committee.
The Department of Health said: "We take this issue seriously and we are talking to the NHS and to the medical profession about potential solutions."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments