www.mddus.com BULLYING A SIGNIFICANT


CONCERN AMONG TRAINEES MORE than one in 10 trainee doctors report being bullied in the workplace according to the 2013 annual national training survey conducted by the GMC. In the survey of 54,000 doctors in training in the UK, 13.2 per cent of


respondents said they had been victims of bullying and harassment in their posts and 19.5 per cent had witnessed someone else being bullied. Over a quarter (26.5


per cent) also experienced “undermining behaviour” from a senior colleague, with doctors in obstetrics and gynaecology most affected. Doctors in years four to seven of specialty training were more likely to report undermining than those in foundation or core training. In its report on the findings, the GMC reiterates that


undermining or bullying behaviour is in total contradiction with its values regarding respect for colleagues as set out in Good Medical Practice. “It is more than a simple failure to comply. Serious or persistent failure to follow our guidance puts a doctor’s registration at risk.”


The National training


13.2% Have been a victim of bullying and harassment in their post


ATTENTION JUNIOR OR TRAINING GRADE DOCTORS


JUNIOR or training grade doctors will be aware that your MDDUS membership includes up to £10,000 cover from work that is not otherwise indemnified by your NHS post. With effect from your renewal date in 2014, this threshold will not include cover for the following:


• Primary care services, such as work as a GP, GP locum or GP out-of-hours sessions, with the exception of work done as part of a formal GP training programme.


19.5% Have witnessed someone else being bullied


26.5% Have experienced “undermining behaviour” from a senior colleague


survey 2013 also found that 2,746 survey respondents (5.2 per cent) raised a concern about patient safety. More than half of patient safety concerns raised by doctors in training relate to a lack of staffing or resources (61.4 per cent), with a significant number related to problems with patient management (29.9 per cent) or processes of care (26.4 per cent).


Doctors near the start of their training are much more likely to raise


concerns than those in the later stages of training – 8.7 per cent in the first year of foundation training (F1) versus 2.8 per cent in year eight of specialty training (ST8). This was also true of GPs at the start of training compared to those near the end of their programmes.


• Obstetrics • Spinal surgery • Cosmetic surgery • Botox and other non-permanent fillers • Gynaecology • Orthopaedic surgery • Neurosurgery • Forensic/police physician work (FME) • Occupational health • Non-NHS palliative/hospice work • Pharmaceutical physician work • Expert medico-legal report writing.


In addition, where a junior/training grade doctor (non- consultant) performs private practice treatment, we would normally expect such practice, for example a resident medical officer, to be performed under the direction of a senior colleague (such as a consultant) with overall responsibility for the patient’s clinical care. The £10,000 limit will continue to provide cover for all


other aspects of work outside your NHS contract, including attendance at music and sporting events. These changes will take effect from your next renewal


date, but should you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact our membership team on 0845 270 2038 or membership@mddus.com


DOCTORS IN DIFFICULTY


A SMALL number of trainees needed support from their foundation school’s “doctors in difficulty” programme, according to the UKFPO’s August 2013 survey. A total of 193 (2.6 per cent) F1 and 185 (2.4


per cent) F2 doctors were monitored across the 25 foundation schools. The main area of


concern for both F1 and F2 related to the doctor’s knowledge, skills and performance, which included personal health issues. The outcome for foundation doctors in difficulty was typically favourable, with over a third (34.2 per cent) of F1s and 37.3 per cent of F2s being signed off by the original end date of their foundation year. A further 50.3 per cent of F1s and 48.6 per cent of F2s are expected to be signed off by an agreed, extended end date. A small number of doctors were referred to


the GMC for fitness to practise issues - 18 (0.3 per cent) F1 and three (0.2 per cent) F2 doctors.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16