Junior doctors moved over lack of training

The East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT) has been told by Health Eduction England (HEE) that it must transfer more than half of its junior doctors to ensure patient safety because of a lack of consultants to train them.

Health Education England said 42 out of 76 trainee doctors at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital should be moved to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and the QEQM in Margate, also run by the trust.

The East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust has admitted some emergency care would be affected at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital over the next few months, particularly in acute stroke care and services for elderly patients with serious illnesses such as pneumonia.

Matthew Kershaw, Chief Executive of EKHUFT said: “Over the next two to three months we will need to temporarily combine a limited number of services at the Kent and Canterbury with those at our hospitals at Ashford and Margate while we work on a sustainable solution. We are committed to making sure as many patients as possible can still be cared for in Canterbury.

“We would like to reassure all patients who are expecting to come into hospital shortly that their appointment or procedure will take place as usual.”

Julie Screaton, Health Education England's regional director for London and the South East, said: "Quality supervision of junior doctors is key to ensure patient safety.

"The lack of consultant cover meant that trainees were not adequately supported in their clinical practice and were consequently unable to receive the education and training for which they were placed in the trust."