General Article Young doctors wanting to work part-time ‘threatens NHS staffing crisis’

Topic Selected: National Health Book Volume: 392

During the pandemic, virtual triage and consultations have sped up treatments and reduced the number of unnecessary in-person interactions.

By Joe Pinkstone, Science Correspondent

More than half of trainees (56 per cent) working for the NHS are considering only working part-time hours, according to figures released by a royal college.

A fifth of doctors already work part-time and this trend looks likely to increase in popularity, according to a survey from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP).

It also revealed that more than a quarter of senior consultant physicians are expected to retire in the next three years, with many expected to depart in the next 18 months.

The findings have caused alarm that an already substantial NHS staffing crisis is only going to worsen as the UK moves into a post-Covid-19 world.

The data comes from an RCP poll of 1,523 medics commissioned to celebrate the 73rd birthday of the NHS.

Virtual triage and consultations

More than 60 per cent – rising to 72 pe...

Would you like to see the rest of this article and all the other benefits that Issues Online can provide with?

Sign up now for an immediate no obligation FREE TRIAL and view the entire collection