BMA survey shows too many consultant vacancies remain unfilled

A significant number of hospital consultant posts remain vacant after three months or more and in many cases trusts are not actively trying to fill these vacancies, according to figures released today (21/12/04) by the British Medical Association (BMA).

A BMA survey of 2030 consultants in the UK found that almost half (44%) of the respondents had at least one consultant vacancy in their department, or specialty, that had been vacant for three months or more. Just over one in four (28%) respondents said that their trust was not actively trying to fill at least some of these posts. Lack of candidates or financial problems were cited as the main reasons.

Other key findings on recruitment and retention are as follows:

• Just over half (57%) of respondents stated that their directorate/specialty were staffed by an inappropriate number of consultants - the vast majority believed more consultants were needed
• On average respondents believed they needed 3.4 more consultants to cope with workload
• Nearly four out of five (79%) respondents aged over 50 claimed to have seriously considered retiring before the age of 65 - the main reason given for this was 'pressure of work' (24%)
• Nearly one quarter (23%) of respondents stated that they had recently seriously considered leaving the NHS to work overseas

Dr Paul Miller, Chairman of the BMA's consultants' committee expressed his concern about the figures and made the following comment:

"A number of respondents are telling us that their hospital trusts are not filling consultant posts because they are trying to save money or that funds have been withdrawn. If the Government can find resources to fund treatment centres and overseas surgical teams coming to work in the UK, surely it can find the money to fill existing posts?"

He added: "And if consultants decide to retire early or move abroad the Government needs to do everything it can to keep those doctors working for the NHS. Patients deserve high quality consultant-led care - this is very difficult to provide if we do not have enough consultants.

"If the Government is truly committed to increasing the number of doctors it should be releasing the cash that will enable trusts to recruit consultants into much needed posts."

The questions about recruitment and retention were part of a wider survey about the implementation of the new consultant contract.

The survey was sent to 2,030 consultants in August 2004, there were 925 replies - a response rate of 46%

The normal retirement age in the NHS pension scheme is 60 and any doctor can retire and claim the pension and lump sum at that age. However many doctors choose to increase their pension benefit by working to 65.

The survey results on recruitment and retention are available online at: http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/ConsultantSurvey1204~recruitment and on retirement at: http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/ConsultantSurvey1204~retirement