This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Shortage of doctors could threaten ‘seven day’ NHS plans
A shortage of doctors and other medical personnel could be a key barrier to the government’s push to create a ‘truly seven day’ NHS, according to the Royal College of Physicians (RCP).
Many hospital trusts are reportedly struggling with widespread recruitment issues, with the latest figures showing that 40 per cent of consultant physician posts remain vacant.
Professor Jane Dacre, head of the RCP, will address members at the RCP general conference on Tuesday 15 March and outline staff shortages as part of a ‘gathering storm’ of pressures affecting the NHS, along with financial problems, disillusioned junior doctors and the rise in patients admitted to emergency care.
Dacre is expected to say that shortages are so serious that one in five RCP members believes that patient care is being compromised, with the NHS operating with 20-25 per cent fewer doctors than many comparable countries.
She will tell delegates: "I feel sorry for NHS trusts, I really do. Across the country, they have created a raft of new posts to meet the rising demands for patient care, only to find that there is no-one to fill them. If we have neither enough trainees nor consultants to run the service now, how are we going to implement a safe seven-day service?"
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