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| NHS facing locum doctor shortage | NHS facing locum doctor shortage |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The NHS in England is facing problems recruiting locum hospital doctors, a leaked government memo shows. | The NHS in England is facing problems recruiting locum hospital doctors, a leaked government memo shows. |
| The document, obtained by the Health Service Journal, said that some trusts were even having difficulties getting applicants to attend interviews. | The document, obtained by the Health Service Journal, said that some trusts were even having difficulties getting applicants to attend interviews. |
| The problem seems to have been caused by changes in junior doctor training as young medics are generally used to fill the locum posts. | The problem seems to have been caused by changes in junior doctor training as young medics are generally used to fill the locum posts. |
| The government said it took the issue seriously. | The government said it took the issue seriously. |
| Locums work across a variety of specialities and are used to fill posts until a permanent appointment can be made. | Locums work across a variety of specialities and are used to fill posts until a permanent appointment can be made. |
| Junior doctors often recruited to carry out the duties in-between their official training positions. | Junior doctors often recruited to carry out the duties in-between their official training positions. |
| This problem has been circulating anecdotally for some time Department of Health spokesman | This problem has been circulating anecdotally for some time Department of Health spokesman |
| But a reform of medical training meant the end of staggered start dates for the training posts, meaning there is a shortage of doctors swilling around in the system. | But a reform of medical training meant the end of staggered start dates for the training posts, meaning there is a shortage of doctors swilling around in the system. |
| The memo was sent by a Department of Health official to health bosses asking for evidence of problems. | The memo was sent by a Department of Health official to health bosses asking for evidence of problems. |
| The official said: "Anecdotally we are aware that service in some trusts may be experiencing problems in finding locums." | The official said: "Anecdotally we are aware that service in some trusts may be experiencing problems in finding locums." |
| The replies received show a range of difficulties across the country. | The replies received show a range of difficulties across the country. |
| One reply described the problem as "extensive". | One reply described the problem as "extensive". |
| It said: "We are having increasing difficulty filling any and all vacancies and locum requests." | It said: "We are having increasing difficulty filling any and all vacancies and locum requests." |
| Cover | Cover |
| One hospital manager said: "We are lucky if the applicants attend for interview, and on a number of occasions there have been no applicants to interview on the day." | One hospital manager said: "We are lucky if the applicants attend for interview, and on a number of occasions there have been no applicants to interview on the day." |
| NHS North East reported more than 42 doctors' vacancies for which they are unable to find any cover. | NHS North East reported more than 42 doctors' vacancies for which they are unable to find any cover. |
| And another hospital chief said locums "have proved difficult if not impossible to find" in some specialisms, including plastic surgery. | And another hospital chief said locums "have proved difficult if not impossible to find" in some specialisms, including plastic surgery. |
| A Department of Health spokesman said: "This problem has been circulating anecdotally for some time. | A Department of Health spokesman said: "This problem has been circulating anecdotally for some time. |
| "We do take it seriously, which is why we asked SHAs to help us understand its extent and nature at the beginning of February. | "We do take it seriously, which is why we asked SHAs to help us understand its extent and nature at the beginning of February. |
| "It is worth bearing in mind that the NHS employs around 120,000 doctors in England and, whilst some Trusts have reported issues, many haven't. | "It is worth bearing in mind that the NHS employs around 120,000 doctors in England and, whilst some Trusts have reported issues, many haven't. |
| "There have always been some problems staffing some rotas in shortage specialties." | "There have always been some problems staffing some rotas in shortage specialties." |
| Ram Moorthy, chairman of the BMA junior doctors committee, said: "The BMA has had reports from junior doctors across the country that rotas are operating below full strength. | |
| "They're being pressured to work extra hours, often unpaid, to fill the gaps, and consultants are also taking on additional workload." |