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HOURS LIMIT 'MAY IMPACT ON DOCTORS'

A BMA poll shows concern over junior doctors working hours

Thursday April 10,2008

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A limit to working hours could prevent junior doctors gaining all the skills needed to practise safely, according to a new poll.

New European laws come into force next year cutting the number of hours junior doctors work from the current maximum of 56 to a maximum of 48.

While many junior doctors do not want to work longer hours, a new survey published showed that many were concerned about the impact of the limit.

More than two in three (64%) junior doctors surveyed by the British Medical Association (BMA) believed compliance with the 48-hour working week would have a "negative overall effect" on their training.

When asked what they were worried about the most, 33% feared an impact on the quality of their training while a further 32% were concerned about the impact on their ability to learn the skills needed to practise safely.

Ram Moorthy, chairman of the BMA Junior Doctors Committee, said: "The 48-hour limit is coming and it will have a massive impact.

"Our training has to get far better if we're going to continue to produce the best quality of doctors.

"We need to look at the possibility of lengthening the amount of time it takes to qualify as a consultant."

Some also said they were worried the new limit will see them working "bizarre and complex" rotas for less pay.

More senior members of NHS staff have previously expressed concerns about the limit's impact on the ability to train doctors in all the skills they need.

PLIGHT OF JUNIOR DOCTORS!

11.04.08, 12:02am

Hospitals are struggling to find junior doctors and, according to the British Medical Association, the reason might not just be the long hours, but the huge debts built up at medical college.

Like all students, they have to pay top-up fees of up to £3,000. But with a typical course lasting five years, often following on from a three-year degree course, and with accommodation and living expenses on top, junior doctors arrive on the wards with debts that are double or triple the usual burden.

There are number of people with £60,000 hanging round their neck. This is concerning when a junior doctor's basic salary is about £21,000.

A recent survey by the British Medical Association revealed 91% of those surveyed had a student loan, more than half had an overdraft and two thirds had at least one credit card.

Almost one in five had a bank loan and this situation is exacerbated further by top-up fees.

Many medical students also have a first degree. These calculations do not take into account these borrowings, which make it even higher.

• Posted by: Nalin • Report Comment

JUNIOR DOCTORS CHEATED!

10.04.08, 11:47pm

This year’s new doctors are likely to be worse off financially than any of those that have gone before. Since the recent amendment to the Medical Act 1983 which removes the provision of free accommodation for first-year doctors, those graduating this year and starting work in August face a dire financial situation. The Department of Health had historically pointed towards the free accommodation as a reason to not increase the basic pay of junior doctors; but now, with its removal and no salary compensation in sight, junior doctors are set to take a pay cut of around a quarter. Saddled with the infamous debt a medical degree confers, the financial future for tomorrow’s junior doctors is looking less than rosy.

• Posted by: Nalin • Report Comment

JUNIOR DOCTORS CHEATED BY THE GOVERNMENT!

10.04.08, 10:41am

When everyone gets a pay rise, the junior doctors have had a drop of 20 per cent in their income from this year.

After several years of hard work at the university and student loans of around £50,000, their starting salary would be around £21,000 whereas unqualified policemen and others would start earning more than that without going to university or with any student loans.

These junior doctors were until now entitled to accommodation worth around £4,000 as part of their remuneratoin, which has been taken away from them.

Further, these doctors are not entitled to special treatment as are those classified "key workers" and entitled to preference in purchase of a property.

In reality, to comply with EU directive, the government has cheated the junior doctors and slashed their income.

What a shameful and immoral behaviour on part of this corrupt government!

• Posted by: Nalin • Report Comment