30.05.18
Major medical bodies call for trainee job flexibility and study budget reforms
Enhancements to the recruitment process and the introduction of more flexible training opportunities were some of the improvements outlined by Health Education England (HEE) in a new report published today.
In collaboration with the BMA, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and General Medical Council (GMC), the latest progress report sought after areas of improvement to enhance the overall experience of junior doctors in the NHS.
Flexible recruitment processes and schedules so doctors can maintain a work/life balance, supported returning to training reforms – allowing junior doctors to get back up to speed after time out – and study budget reforms to improve access to educational material were just some of the key areas that needed improvement.
The director of education and standards at the GMC, Colin Melville, said: “Doctors in training are facing pressures like never before, and it takes a lot of organisations to come together in order to make real improvements to their working lives. That is now happening, with progress on many fronts.
“It is vital that careers in medicine remain attractive to future generations of doctors, and work outlined in this report will contribute to that goal.”
Professor Wendy Reid, director of education and quality and medical director at HEE, said it was important to “continue to empower doctors in training to voice their concerns” regarding training environment and act on them.
She added: “This report details the significant progress we have made over the last year. However, we are not complacent and recognise that there is still much to be done. This work is a key priority for HEE.”
The review forms part of HEE’s work to improve and enhance the working lives of doctors in training by making sure they have access to a supportive, high-quality learning environment for all doctors in training.