Medic training gets major boost

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6201489.stm

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New investment by the Department of Health will see almost four times as many doctors being given specialist training than in previous years.

Normally there are up to 150 training positions available each year, but the aim is now to create about 600 posts.

It said the additional training places would enable more doctors to specialise in areas like paediatrics, surgery and psychiatry.

From August 2007, specialist medical training is being reformed.

The government said the initiative was designed to improve the quality and safety of patient care through better education and training for doctors.

'Much greater chance'

Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride said more doctors would be able to train in Northern Ireland and "offer a higher quality and wider range of service to patients".

"As always, there is great demand for these training posts and everyone will not be able to have their first choice of speciality," he said.

"This has always been the case and the number of vacancies in specialities and location is determined by the needs of patients and the health service."

The chief medical officer said that with the creation of so many more additional training opportunities, he was confident that doctors would have a much greater chance of securing a training post.

"Changing the way doctors are trained will ultimately benefit both patients and doctors - patients will be treated by doctors who are already trained and doctors will have the expertise and skills they need to offer the best service to patients."

Doctors will be able to apply for the posts from 22 January 2007.