25.10.11
Better use of suspension and exclusion within the NHS
A new publication produced by the National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS) shows that periods of suspension and exclusion of GP and hospital and community practitioners are getting shorter across the NHS.
The report, ‘Use of NHS exclusion and suspension from work amongst doctors and dentists in 2010/11’, finds that since 2005, there have been more episodes of suspension or exclusion in the NHS but faster resolutions.
An estimated 5,870 working weeks were lost as a result of this in 2010/11, compared with 6,850 weeks lost in 2009/10. This 14% reduction means a significant saving to the NHS.
The average duration for hospital and community doctors was 21 weeks in 2010/11, compared with 23 weeks the year before. GP suspensions lasted an average of 35 weeks in 2010/11, compared with 44 weeks the year before.
NCAS’s senior adviser Claire McLaughlan said: “These trends are good news for the service, for practitioners and for patient safety as increasing numbers of managers are using suspension and exclusion appropriately.”
She went on to say that the significant reduction in lost working time as a result of suspension and exclusions would save the NHS over £3m.
McLaughlan said: “Although practitioners usually remain on full pay while problems are investigated, time away from practice can be detrimental to their skills and careers. It can also be very costly to the NHS. Therefore the decision to suspend or exclude a practitioner from practice should be carefully considered and, if taken, it should be closely monitored”.
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