BMA Scotland response to Health Committee workforce planning report

Welcoming the publication of the Scottish Parliament Health Committee's findings from its inquiry into workforce planning in the NHS, Dr Bill O'Neill, Scottish Secretary of the BMA, said:

"We welcome the Committee's recognition that there is a need to increase the number of staff, including doctors, in the NHS in Scotland and that there is a pressing need for a more focused approach to workforce planning in Scotland."

Commenting on the changes to doctors working hours, Dr O'Neill said:

"The Committee's acknowledgment of the impact of the European Working Time Directive is welcome as is its recognition that it is no longer acceptable for doctors to work excessive hours, potentially risking patient safety.

"The BMA argued that insufficient action taken in advance of the implementation of the European Working Time Directive would have an impact on service delivery. Despite nearly 10 years of discussion, the service failed to plan adequately for these changes and is now feeling the pressure. However, the report does highlight some areas of good practice and it is important that this is shared across the NHS so that it can develop and improve services in line with the changing needs of the NHS workforce."

The BMA particularly welcomed the Committee's recommendations for medical education. Dr O'Neill said:

"We share the Committee's views that the Scottish Executive must respond to Sir Kenneth Calman's review of basic medical education. Increasing medical school places would certainly provide the basis for increased numbers of doctors in the long term. We welcome the Committee's recommendations, based on our evidence, of the need to revisit medical school admissions policies by accepting Sir Kenneth's recommendations to review the requirement for five highers taken at one sitting. This requirement simply creates a barrier to medicine for some very able students whose schools do not provide for this."

Commenting on the proposals for a public debate on NHS service change, he added:

"We accept that the public debate on the balance between local, central, specialist and generalist care should be better informed. The BMA looks forward to being actively involved in the Committee's planned debate on the findings of this report."

A full copy of the Health Committee report can be accessed at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/health/reports-05/her05-02-00.htm