Consultant shortages ‘put huge pressure on services’

  A ‘worrying’ number of consultant posts are remaining unfilled for more than six months, the BMA has warned, which is putting pressure on services and on other doctors. The latest workforce figures from NHS Scotland show that consultant vacancy rates as a whole are decreasing, standing at almost 6 per cent at the end of December. But the number of long-term vacancies has risen slightly since September 2015, to stand at 144.9 (whole-time equivalent) at the end of the year. This is, however, a slight decrease on the same time last year. Scotland health, well-being and sport secretary Shona Robison hailed the latest workforce figures. She said they showed the NHS was employing record numbers of people. ‘Our significant investment has allowed us to support and grow the NHS workforce to ensure the people of Scotland get the high-quality healthcare they deserve,’ she said. But the BMA, which has conducted research showing that official figures consistently underestimate actual consultant vacancies, said more action was needed.   Call to act Responding to the latest figures, BMA Scotland consultants committee joint deputy chair Simon Barker said: ‘The fact that official figures have shown the number of vacant consultant positions has decreased suggests that this is a step in the right direction, but we also know that there are consultant vacancies that do not get picked up in official statistics, so the picture is very likely worse than the...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news