GMC voices concerns over stretched medical training

12 October 2010

The GMC has expressed "significant concerns" over some aspects of medical training, including limited training time and reports that some junior doctors are being asked to take on tasks beyond their competence.

These were highlighted in the results from a major survey of medical trainees and trainers in which there was also concern over the impact of the European Working Time Regulations (EWTR). Less than half of the consultants responsible for training thought they could deliver the same quality with the new 48-hour rotas that were introduced last year.

The GMC has also published a review of all the evidence on the impact of EWTR . Chaired by Professor David Haslam the former president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, the review presents a mixed picture of how training is being delivered and managed within the 48-hour week. Some specialties implementing EWTR report significant problems, including lost training time and difficulties in balancing training and with the demands of delivering care to patients.

The report points out that the new working time arrangements were introduced into a system already under considerable strain with not enough doctors to provide adequate cover in all areas.

Niall Dickson, Chief Executive of the General Medical Council, said: "Overall the standards of training in the UK remain high and that is reflected in what these young doctors and the consultants who train them have told us. But the surveys and the other evidence we have suggests there are real problems in some specialties not just because of EWTR but for a variety of reasons."

"We will not hesitate to step in where we believe trainee doctors are being asked to work beyond their competence or are not receiving the training they need. And we will continue to work closely with Postgraduate Deaneries and the NHS, to find effective solutions where there are specific serious concerns."

"On EWTR we support the government in its commitment to look at this again but like trainee doctors, we have no intention of going back to ridiculous hours that led to exhausted junior staff who were often in no fit state to care for their patients. The next few years will be difficult given the pressures on NHS spending but if training is given the priority it deserves, the NHS should be able to build on the good practice that already exists. We will work with the doctors involved and the health service to help deliver this."

The GMC quality assurance of Specialty including GP training and the European Working Time Regulations report and the main findings of the National Training Surveys are available on the GMC website.