“Shocking” lack of posts for trainee surgeons

29 October 2010

HUNDREDS of would-be surgeons have been left without specialist training posts, an investigation has shown.

Deanery statistics reveal only a small number of this year’s core trainees in general surgery were even interviewed for a specialist training (ST3) post and none were appointed at all across the Northern, and Yorkshire and Humber areas.

The figures were revealed in an investigation by BMJ Careers. The problem is thought to represent millions of pounds worth of wasted education.

The report also highlights research by Dr Alison Carr, dean advisor for MMC England to the Medical Programme Board in June, which shows that in 2010 fewer than a quarter of doctors qualifying in 2005-2006 were recruited to ST3 posts. The number of applicants vying for each job varied from 4.4 to almost 15 people per post in some specialties.

Dr Carr’s research draws attention to a bottleneck of surgical trainees, some of whom have been waiting up to 13 years for an ST3 post.

Chair of the BMA Junior Doctors Committee Shree Datta said the lack of training posts was “absolutely shocking” and said some doctors may be forced to “look elsewhere and take their skills abroad” while others may leave medicine altogether.

But a Department of Health spokesman said surgical training had “always been highly competitive”.

He told BMJ Careers: “The profession knows this and is supportive of it – competition helps to ensure that the best candidates progress in the field.”

The report also says that the Royal College of Surgeons is calling on the DoH to extend the surgical training period from two to three years and that the BMA will be liaising with the RCS and DoH to “make sure the importance of career progression is prioritised in surgery.”