Patients have been assured safety in Scottish hospitals “is not” being jeopardised by the August influx of trainee doctors.
Dr Neil Dewhurst, president of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, added: “For many years doctors have been aware of practical problems caused by this annual changeover. Formal evidence in support of our concerns has, however, been limited, but is now increasing and has reached the level where it should not be ignored.”
However, a Scottish Government spokeswoman said there is “absolutely no evidence” that links the August changeover should be a cause for concern.
She added: “Since the launch of the Scottish Patient Safety Programme in 2008 we have seen major improvements, and it is vital for patients to have confidence that when they access any part of the healthcare system, they will receive the best available treatment without fear of harm.
“The national training changeover of doctors is an established feature of the national postgraduate medical training curriculum, and boards have systems in place to ensure the maintenance of high-quality care at the changeovers for doctors in training. These include induction progresses and pre-August shadowing arrangements for newly-qualified doctors.
“The arrangements are supported by senior medical staff and advanced nurse practitioners and patient safety is a key focus. We will, however, consider the findings of this study.”
Dr Gordon Birnie, medical director of NHS Fife’s operational division, said: “NHS Fife is aware of the evidence and we provide new staff with a full induction to our systems and ways of working when they start.
“Existing staff work alongside our trainee doctors to provide support and guidance to protect patient safety.”
An NHS Tayside spokesman said: “All of our newly-qualified doctors spend a week shadowing a senior doctor prior to taking up their new post. They also complete their induction to the post the day before they start, in order that they are familiar with procedures within their new department.
“We also ensure that we have senior consultants on duty to support the newly qualified doctors in their roles.”
The Scottish Government, NHS Tayside and NHS Fife moved to reassure patients after a new survey found most doctors believe patient safety is compromised during the period of upheaval.
A study by the Society of Acute Medicine and the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh found that 90% of doctors believed each intake of new trainees reduces patient safety.
The first Wednesday of August is the traditional start date for pre-registration trainee doctors when there is an estimated changeover of 50,000 doctors.
New trainees entering the NHS for the first time take on the roles occupied by the previous year’s intake, who move on to training elsewhere in the NHS.
The survey of just under 750 doctors throughout the UK, published in the journal Clinical Medicine, found 93% believe the changeover is detrimental to patient safety while more than half (58%) believe the changeover has a negative impact on doctors’ training.
The study concludes: “There is a clear and pressing need for planned change. The evidence for deterioration in the quality of patient care during the August transition is mounting and the opinions expressed in this survey point to a system in urgent need of reform.”
Louella Vaughan, honorary consultant physician in acute medicine, and lead author of the study, said: “The results of this survey add to the emerging evidence base which indicates that the current August changeover system increases a number of risks for patients, including an increased early death rate for patients admitted to hospital at this time.”
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