GMC concerned about support for doctors in training – major survey shows overall satisfaction but highlights key concerns

The General Medical Council has highlighted some significant concerns over aspects of medical training while welcoming the fact that most junior doctors say their training is either good or excellent.

The GMC was reacting to its survey of medical trainees and trainers which reported high levels of satisfaction with their education but also raised concerns around limited time for training, often because of unfilled posts. Some trainee doctors also reported that they were being asked to take on tasks beyond their competence.

There was also some concern about the impact of the European Working Time Regulations (EWTR) – less than half of the consultants responsible for training thought they could deliver the same quality with the new 48-hour rotas that were introduced last year.

The GMC has also published a review of all the evidence on the impact of EWTR. The review chaired by Professor David Haslam the former president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, presents a mixed picture of how training is being delivered and managed within the 48-hour week. Although many specialties raise few concerns, in some, implementing EWTR appears to be creating significant problems, including lost training time and difficulties in balancing training and with the demands of delivering care to patients.

But the report stresses this is not just about the 48-hour week. It points out that the new arrangements were introduced into a system already under considerable strain with not enough doctors to provide adequate cover in all areas.

Niall Dickson, Chief Executive of the General Medical Council, said:

“Overall the standards of training in the UK remain high and that is reflected in what these young doctors and the consultants who train them have told us. But the surveys and the other evidence we have suggests there are real problems in some specialties not just because of EWTR but for a variety of reasons.”

“We will not hesitate to step in where we believe trainee doctors are being asked to work beyond their competence or are not receiving the training they need. And we will continue to work closely with Postgraduate Deaneries and the NHS, to find effective solutions where there are specific serious concerns.”

“On EWTR we support the government in its commitment to look at this again but like trainee doctors, we have no intention of going back to ridiculous hours that led to exhausted junior staff who were often in no fit state to care for their patients. The next few years will be difficult given the pressures on NHS spending but if training is given the priority it deserves, the NHS should be able to build on the good practice that already exists. We will work with the doctors involved and the health service to help deliver this.”

ENDS