Doctors' Working Lives News
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Thursday, April 28, 2005
Pay protection, flexis, the end of the opt-out, and the truth about the LAS
Poll result: Breaks are important - for other people
Well, what a turn up for the books. According to the poll, 75% of us think that natural breaks are important, but less than half of us actually take them. A pattern that's being repeated across the country. But is this out of choice or because of pressure of work or management?
A discussion about the New Deal requirement for natural breaks - 75% or 100%? is also on the forum and well worth checking out if you haven't seen it.
New poll: Pay protection
Some of you may have seen the feature article by Simon Eccles in Hospital Doctor, "Pay protection not optional for Trusts", in which he referred to "cunning" managers refusing to pay protect doctors. Unfortunately the article isn't available in the HD online archive, perhaps because it accidentally suggested that doctors were pay protected on one band for the whole of a rotation (a mistake that Dr Eccles has given excellent advice against elsewhere). However, a response from EWTD managers was published and is available online.
In the meantime, the new poll is: At what point should rotational pay protection apply?
Newsflash: MEPs vote to scrap the opt-out by 2010 MEPS have voted in favour of the Cercas report, overturning the European Commission proposals and upholding SiMAP and Jaeger. (This still has to make it past the Council of Ministers.) More detailed news in the next update.
Flexible contract
The new flexible trainee pay package is out and looking like a much fairer system for both doctors and Trusts. Plenty of news about it, too:
Part-time work may encourage further recruits (Scotsman)
Flexi-time boosts female doctors (Scotsman)
Meanwhile, a tribunal rules that pilot should be allowed to work flexibly - setting a precedent? (Guardian)
EWTD compliance
The Scotsman, the Glasgow Evening Times and the Herald all report on the sanctions system in Scotland where EWTD non-compliance can lead to removal of training posts. "The ultimate sanction is seldom used," reports the Times, "but Trusts have been hit with fines after doctors worked too long. In one case in the west of Scotland, a board paid out £56,000 to a group of doctors after one worked 10 minutes overtime."
Doctors advise doctors
Pros and cons of consultant resident on call (BMJCF)
The case for general surgery (MJA)
Tips on grand round presentations - useful for presentations in general (BMJCF)
Foundation programme curriculum - Q&As (Professor Alan Crockard in BMJCF)
Cross cover - an alternative perspective Well, that's "alternative" to the positive view stated in the previous BMJCF, so better described as "a traditional perspective". (BMJCF)
Physician suicide: searching for answers (AMedNews)
Beware "trust house officer jobs", says Simon Eccles (BMJCF)
UK doctors aren't "minting money" says overseas doctor, claiming EWTD non-compliant posts are "difficult to find"! (Malaysiakini.com)
In other news
Doctors press for end to "poaching" of staff from overseas (Telegraph)
EU to tackle issue of patient safety (BMJ)
Germany sets up anonymous internet-based critical incident reporting system (BMJ)
Random acts of Reality: blog written by an EMT in the London Ambulance Service. Fascinating stuff - highly recommended.
Industrial revolution: X-ray machine assaults anaesthetist (MJA)
NSF quiz: How Safe A Sleeper Are You?
Well, what a turn up for the books. According to the poll, 75% of us think that natural breaks are important, but less than half of us actually take them. A pattern that's being repeated across the country. But is this out of choice or because of pressure of work or management?
A discussion about the New Deal requirement for natural breaks - 75% or 100%? is also on the forum and well worth checking out if you haven't seen it.
New poll: Pay protection
Some of you may have seen the feature article by Simon Eccles in Hospital Doctor, "Pay protection not optional for Trusts", in which he referred to "cunning" managers refusing to pay protect doctors. Unfortunately the article isn't available in the HD online archive, perhaps because it accidentally suggested that doctors were pay protected on one band for the whole of a rotation (a mistake that Dr Eccles has given excellent advice against elsewhere). However, a response from EWTD managers was published and is available online.
In the meantime, the new poll is: At what point should rotational pay protection apply?
Newsflash: MEPs vote to scrap the opt-out by 2010 MEPS have voted in favour of the Cercas report, overturning the European Commission proposals and upholding SiMAP and Jaeger. (This still has to make it past the Council of Ministers.) More detailed news in the next update.
Flexible contract
The new flexible trainee pay package is out and looking like a much fairer system for both doctors and Trusts. Plenty of news about it, too:
Part-time work may encourage further recruits (Scotsman)
Flexi-time boosts female doctors (Scotsman)
Meanwhile, a tribunal rules that pilot should be allowed to work flexibly - setting a precedent? (Guardian)
EWTD compliance
The Scotsman, the Glasgow Evening Times and the Herald all report on the sanctions system in Scotland where EWTD non-compliance can lead to removal of training posts. "The ultimate sanction is seldom used," reports the Times, "but Trusts have been hit with fines after doctors worked too long. In one case in the west of Scotland, a board paid out £56,000 to a group of doctors after one worked 10 minutes overtime."
Doctors advise doctors
Pros and cons of consultant resident on call (BMJCF)
The case for general surgery (MJA)
Tips on grand round presentations - useful for presentations in general (BMJCF)
Foundation programme curriculum - Q&As (Professor Alan Crockard in BMJCF)
Cross cover - an alternative perspective Well, that's "alternative" to the positive view stated in the previous BMJCF, so better described as "a traditional perspective". (BMJCF)
Physician suicide: searching for answers (AMedNews)
Beware "trust house officer jobs", says Simon Eccles (BMJCF)
UK doctors aren't "minting money" says overseas doctor, claiming EWTD non-compliant posts are "difficult to find"! (Malaysiakini.com)
In other news
Doctors press for end to "poaching" of staff from overseas (Telegraph)
EU to tackle issue of patient safety (BMJ)
Germany sets up anonymous internet-based critical incident reporting system (BMJ)
Random acts of Reality: blog written by an EMT in the London Ambulance Service. Fascinating stuff - highly recommended.
Industrial revolution: X-ray machine assaults anaesthetist (MJA)
NSF quiz: How Safe A Sleeper Are You?
Monday, April 11, 2005
Accommodation, Flexible trainees
Short update due to the usual hectic nature of this time of the year...more later!
Bedrooms for full shift doctors?
Until 18th April, NHS Employers is still taking comments on the BMA's new proposals for accommodation requirements. These include bedrooms for doctors on full shift and a requirement to provide married and single accommodation. If you haven't seen the proposals, your SHA/WDC will have them. Please send your comments back via your SHAs.
Changes to the flexible trainee pay package have also been announced. At first glance these look much fairer for trainees and provide a better incentive for Trusts.
On the same page there are some useful links re junior doctors, in particular the ministerial return documents. Well, ok, it's a bit late for that now, but maybe useful to know for next time!
Bedrooms for full shift doctors?
Until 18th April, NHS Employers is still taking comments on the BMA's new proposals for accommodation requirements. These include bedrooms for doctors on full shift and a requirement to provide married and single accommodation. If you haven't seen the proposals, your SHA/WDC will have them. Please send your comments back via your SHAs.
Changes to the flexible trainee pay package have also been announced. At first glance these look much fairer for trainees and provide a better incentive for Trusts.
On the same page there are some useful links re junior doctors, in particular the ministerial return documents. Well, ok, it's a bit late for that now, but maybe useful to know for next time!
This site is maintained by Ellie Pattinson. All rights reserved. This website is maintained independently of the NHS and the views expressed are not necessarily a reflection of the views of that organisation. For any queries, contributions or amendments, please email me on admin@idwl.info.
