NHS in Wales 'could become unsafe' if doctor shortage is not addressed
A shortage in middle-grade doctors could make the NHS in Wales unsafe for staff and patients, doctors' leaders warned last week.
Dr Richard Lewis, Welsh secretary of the British Medical Association, said that the NHS was facing an unprecedented shortfall in middle-grade and junior doctors right across Wales, reports Walesonline.
"There are a variety of reasons for this shortage, one being that Wales does not top the list of places where many junior doctors desire to work," Lewis told the news provider.
He went on to say that the high level of middle-grade and junior doctor vacancies meant that consultants were left to plug the gaps and pick up the pieces, and there was no evidence hospitals are adjusting services to take these shortfalls into account, meaning management skills are suffering.
The doctors warned: "Inevitably, the rates of work being undertaken cannot be sustained with the current levels of staffing. We need far more sustainable solutions if NHS Wales is to deliver and maintain the quality and capacity of services the people of Wales deserve."
Last week, a report published by an influential think tank Civitas found that NHS managers are set to struggle as the health service is "following every known rule that guarantees failure in the business world".
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Perhaps they could provide or ehnance incentives to medical students whom on completion of their studies would be required to give 3 years to a health authority in Wales and also increase the professional development opportunities for Junior Doctors - it's not enough to say that Wales isn't a choice they need to find out why and deal with the issues.
Pretty sure I saw on the news over the weekend that the working week is being chopped for doctors as well. Still a heavy week of course at something like 48 hours, but less than previously, and of course people were suggesting this would lead to large shortages.