02.08.16
Junior doctor specialty recruitment increases despite contract dispute
There has been a small increase in the rate of junior doctors being recruited into specialist training posts, despite the ongoing contract controversy.
The latest data from Health Education England (HEE) shows that 89.94% of specialty training posts starting in August 2016 have been filled, compared to 89.75% in August 2015.
Professor Ian Cumming, chief executive of HEE, said: “Health Education England is pleased to publish the latest recruitment data for specialty training positions showing medical training is still an attractive career of choice.”
The figures suggest junior doctors have not been immediately discouraged from working in the health service, despite the ongoing controversy after health secretary Jeremy Hunt announced he was imposing a new contract despite British Medical Association (BMA) members voting against it.
The last lot of specialty recruitment figures, released in April, suggested that the number of junior doctors accepting specialty posts was decreasing as a result of the contract dispute.
Dr Ellen McCourt, chair of the BMA junior doctor committee, said: “As the imposed new terms and conditions aren’t due to come into effect until October, any junior doctor currently taking up new training posts will be working under the existing contract.
“The BMA is currently awaiting a response from the government regarding the remaining areas of concern, and we have been clear with the health secretary that tangible progress needs to be made before a new contract is introduced.”
However, only three specialties saw an increase in recruitment, whilst six saw a decrease and seven remained fixed at a 100% recruitment rate.
Psychiatry had the biggest increase in recruitment, from 77.19% to 80.71%, but still had the lowest uptake overall.
This was followed by general practice, which had an 82.8% recruitment rate, an increase from 80.62% the year before.
NHS England has promised increased funding and support to both mental health care and general practice after warnings that the sectors are failing patients.
Paediatrics had the biggest decrease in recruitment, from 96.25% to 92.88%, whilst ACCS acute medicine, histopathology, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology and anaesthetics all also had a decrease.
The Royal College of Anaesthetists recently warned that demand for anaesthesia services could outstrip supply within 20 years because of a low recruitment rate.
(Image c. Andrew Matthews)
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