Experts warn of shortage of NHS doctors as rising number of medics choose to work part-time

Medical leaders are warning that the NHS could face staff shortages as an increasing number of doctors are deciding to work part time.

Over a quarter of senior consultant physicians are expecting to retire within three years, however a survey by the Royal College of Physicians found 56 per cent of trainees were considering working only part time, leading to fears there will be too few medics in the pipeline to replace them.

The college is now calling for the number of medical school places to double to stop the shortages worsening.

President of the RCP, Professor Andrew Goddard, said “If a majority of trainees coming into the system are keen to work part time, we need to find a way to make that happen.

“Meeting the complex needs of an ageing population, let alone another pandemic, will be al but impossible if we do not expand medical school places now to train more doctors, invest in social care and address the inequalities that create and worsen ill health.”

Professor Goddard went on to say “It is right that we should celebrate the achievements of healthcare staff during the pandemic as we mark the NHS’s birthday, but the pressures we have faced have been greater than they needed to be because of existing staff shortages.

“If we do not address this problem we will have much less to celebrate in future.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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