The RCP’s Trainees Committee has responded to a letter from NHS England setting out measures to improve the working lives of doctors in training.
In a letter to NHS colleagues, NHS England has pledged to improve the lives of postgraduate doctors in training by enhancing choice and flexibility with rotas, while reducing payroll errors and the financial burden of course fees. The NHS will also carry out a review of the minimum legal requirements for statutory and mandatory training so that staff can spend less time on admin and inductions and more time caring for patients.
In response to the letter, Dr Melanie Nana, Obstetric Medicine Registrar and RCP Trainees Committee Co-Chair and Dr Megan Rutter, Rheumatology Specialist Registrar and RCP Trainees Committee Co-Chair, said:
“We welcome this positive announcement from NHS England, detailing some tangible improvements in the working conditions for doctors in training and other rotating staff members. These align with ongoing discussions we are having with Sir Steve Powis, Professor Sheona Macleod, and Sir Chris Whitty.
“The reduction in the burden of mandatory training through avoiding duplication will reduce the pressure on individuals around the time of rotations, as will the clear directive that it should not fall to doctors in training to undertake this in their own personal time.
“Initiatives such as reversing the system for paying course fees, so that doctors in training don’t face financial hardship whilst awaiting reimbursement, and developing set timescales to rectify pay errors, will also have an immediate positive impact.
“While there is certainly more to do, this is a good start. We look forward to the swift introduction of these measures and will continue our collaborative discussions with NHSE and the DHSC about further strategies to improve the working conditions and training experience of doctors within the NHS.”