The new health secretary must tackle junior doctors’ dissatisfaction before winter

Abstract

Quality of life, NHS culture, and challenges around training opportunities are all key issues affecting doctors’ morale

Doctors in training should be at the top of the workforce priority list

“…The recommended changes in the letter, while positive, will do little to tackle the deeper problems experienced by doctors in training: the minimal professional autonomy, the lack of a sense of belonging, and the shrinking job opportunities to name a few. Doctors in training have been neglected for a long time, clear from the continuing exodus both from the UK and from the profession, the unwaveringly high support for strike action, and the persistently low morale 234. We were notable only for our absence in the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan last year, referenced in NHSE’s letter 5.…”

Women and medicine: exploited as staff and as patients

“…Pay is one of those, but so are student debt, training opportunities, workplace culture, and career progression (doi:10.1136/bmj.p2888). 4 We surveyed readers to understand the toll of childcare, which is a particular problem for doctors in training. Our survey wasn’t high science, but the signal from readers is clear: securing childcare to cover erratic and long working hours is draining, stressful, and a financial burden (doi:10.1136/bmj.q128).…”