Doctors Union says unfilled hospital shifts have had “detrimental impact” on medics
An investigation by The British Medical Association (BMA) has found that more than 32,000 doctors' shifts have been unfilled in London hospitals for six months last year.
Freedom of Information requests requested by the BMA have shown that at least 32,576 shifts across 23 London trusts have been offered to doctors, but that these have not been filled.
A Doctors Union has claimed that this is due to NHS trusts wanting to keep rates of pay for extra shifts universally low, but that this is having a “detrimental impact” on the workforce.
Co-chair of the BMA North Thames Regional Resident Doctors’ Committee, Dr Shivam Sharma reiterates “what doctors in London already know: we are untenably short staffed” adding that “Every single one of those 32,000 unfilled shifts meant overworked doctors were left trying to do the work of multiple medics.
“Patients in London deserve doctors who can give them the time and energy they need”
– Dr Shivam Sharma, Co-chair of the BMA North Thames Regional Resident Doctors’ Committee
He states it is “only common sense” that if trusts removed the medical rate cap and paid shifts more competitively, the public would see “fewer rota gaps” and “better-staffed hospitals”.
Chair of the BMA London regional council, Kevin O’Kane has said that doctors in the capital are being asked to work for rates that they have not been able to negotiate and that it is “unacceptable”.
“When doctors take on extra work and sacrifice their already limited free time they deserve to be paid fairly, and in a way that reflects the increased costs that come from living in London
– Kevin O’Kane, Chair of the BMA London regional council
He says that the medical rate cap is “unjust” and wants to find a way to ensure doctors are fairly paid for any extra shifts they do.
“This is also in the interests of hospital trusts in the capital and the patients we all serve; by agreeing a London-wide set of rates, we create stability for trust managers and deliver a reliable supply of doctors to provide the care patients need.”
– Kevin O’Kane, Chair of the BMA London regional council
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HeadlineDoctors Union says unfilled hospital shifts have had “detrimental impact” on medics
Short HeadlineUnfilled hospital shifts have had "detrimental impact" says Union
StandfirstAn investigation by The British Medical Association (BMA) has found that more than 32,000 doctors' shifts have been unfilled in London hospitals for six months last year.
Freedom of Information requests requested by the BMA have shown that at least 32,576 shifts across 23 London trusts have been offered to doctors, but that these have not been filled.
A Doctors Union has claimed that this is due to NHS trusts wanting to keep rates of pay for extra shifts universally low, but that this is having a “detrimental impact” on the workforce.
Co-chair of the BMA North Thames Regional Resident Doctors’ Committee, Dr Shivam Sharma reiterates “what doctors in London already know: we are untenably short staffed” adding that “Every single one of those 32,000 unfilled shifts meant overworked doctors were left trying to do the work of multiple medics.
“Patients in London deserve doctors who can give them the time and energy they need”
– Dr Shivam Sharma, Co-chair of the BMA North Thames Regional Resident Doctors’ Committee
He states it is “only common sense” that if trusts removed the medical rate cap and paid shifts more competitively, the public would see “fewer rota gaps” and “better-staffed hospitals”.
Chair of the BMA London regional council, Kevin O’Kane has said that doctors in the capital are being asked to work for rates that they have not been able to negotiate and that it is “unacceptable”.
“When doctors take on extra work and sacrifice their already limited free time they deserve to be paid fairly, and in a way that reflects the increased costs that come from living in London
– Kevin O’Kane, Chair of the BMA London regional council
He says that the medical rate cap is “unjust” and wants to find a way to ensure doctors are fairly paid for any extra shifts they do.
“This is also in the interests of hospital trusts in the capital and the patients we all serve; by agreeing a London-wide set of rates, we create stability for trust managers and deliver a reliable supply of doctors to provide the care patients need.”
– Kevin O’Kane, Chair of the BMA London regional council
