BMA accuses NHS trusts of lowering care standards

The
pressure of waiting-time targets and the cut in the number of hours junior
doctors are allowed to work are forcing hospitals to lower the standards
required for certain posts, according to the British Medical Association (BMA).

BMA
research shows NHS trusts are trying to increase the number of middle-ranking
‘staff grade’ doctors to meet service pressures, but the low pay on offer makes
the posts difficult to fill. As a result, trusts have ended up recruiting
junior doctors with only one or two years of experience.

The
BMA said these junior doctors did not have the experience to fulfil the needs
of the more senior roles.

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Greg
Dilliway, from the BMA staff and associate specialists committee, said: "It
is extremely worrying if trusts are employing doctors to do jobs for which they
do not have sufficient experience."

By
Michael Millar