Funds 'Ringfenced' As Doctor Shortage Bites

There was mixed news today as a leading doctor's union warned that the ongoing shortage of junior doctors is threatening patient care and safety - while also welcoming a promise of no cuts in the existing health budget.

Commenting as around 200 new foundation grade doctors began work across Northern Ireland, Dr David Farren, Chairman of the British Medical Association's Junior Doctor Committee in Northern Ireland said: "The medical workforce is currently short of approximately 86 junior doctors, with emergency medicine, paediatrics and surgery amongst the worst affected.

"This is not a new problem," said Dr Farren, "and it's one that the BMA has repeatedly raised with Minister McGimpsey."

He said that the BMA estimates that the shortage of junior doctors will rise to around 120 by February, with this shortage potentially forcing Trusts to withdraw services.

"We have already seen this happen and junior doctors have been unfairly labelled as the instigators of the withdrawal of services."

Dr Farren concluded: "The bottom line is that there are not enough junior doctors working in Northern Ireland. This needs to be properly tackled to ensure that safe care is delivered to patients in the future."

Meanwhile, Dr Paul Darragh, Chairman of the BMA in Northern Ireland, welcomed the news that the Northern Ireland health budget is to be 'ringfenced'.

"Although deferring the cuts until next year is only staving off the problem, it will give some breathing space to the already overstretched health service.

"BMA is realistic that savings do need to be made, but any changes to the health service must be planned and managed with a view to long term sustainability."

Yesterday, it was revealed that NI's health and education departments are to be protected from the cuts of nearly £128m imposed by central government.

In a letter sent to the Stormont Assembly by Finance Minister Sammy Wilson, he said he would impose some of the savings now, with £45.1m to be dealt with at a later date.

While health and education are ring-fenced from immediate cuts of up to £45m they could have faced, both departments will have to agree to efficiency checks to see if savings can be made.

(BMcC/GK)