NEWS Government proposes changes to NHS pension rules
The government is putting forward a plan to allow doctors complete flexibility when it comes to scaling down their pension contributions, to avoid breaching the annual tax-free allowance. According to the BBC, the allowance has been reduced from £255,000 a year in 2010-11 to £40,000 - and drops still further for the highest earners. This may affect around a third of senior doctors and GPs who earn more than £110,000. Previously the government had said it favoured a 50:50 option whereby public sector staff could forsake half the amount paid into their pension.
Commenting on the government’s proposed changes to NHS pension rules, Siva Anandaciva, chief analyst at The King’s Fund, said: “Hospital consultants, GPs, nurses and managers are turning down additional work and promotions to avoid big tax bills and this is
having a real and immediate impact on patient care, with reports of cancer scans going unread and weekend and evening operations being cancelled. “The government’s proposed changes to pensions will help to retain some senior clinicians, but it appears that health service managers have been left out of the plans, despite high vacancy rates in board roles such as director of operations, finance and strategy, something the pensions issue will only exacerbate. “Chronic staff shortages are now the single biggest challenge facing the health service today, with nearly 100,000 vacancies in NHS Trusts. In addition to pension changes, solving the NHS workforce crisis will require a raft of measures, including financial incentives to attract more nurses, and ramped-up international recruitment to plug
Survey of doctors highlights concerns about staff wellbeing
A new survey of doctors has revealed that many do not have someone solely responsible for staff wellbeing - with junior doctors feeling the least prioritised by their line managers/partners.
Ahead of thousands of new doctors starting their careers on hospital wards, 90% of trainees who responded said they do not have someone at work solely responsible for staff wellbeing. The results also revealed that: l 70% do not feel like their personal wellbeing is a priority of their line manager/partner
l More than half did not feel encouraged by their line manager/partner to discuss wellbeing issues
l Almost 43% agree or strongly agree to have considered leaving the profession for reasons of personal wellbeing.
Not-for-profit protection organisation, Medical Protection, which ran the survey, believes the early experiences of doctors can shape their careers, and it is important that as new doctors start their foundation years on hospital wards, they are safe in the knowledge that they are working in a supportive environment. The defence organisation is
recommending that NHS organisations in England fully commit to the implementation of Health Education England’s recommendation to establish Workforce Wellbeing Guardians in every NHS organisation by 2022. Similar actions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should be taken. Dr Pallavi Bradshaw, education lead at Medical Protection, said: “While nearly half
of trainee doctors would recommend medicine as a career – there are clearly challenges which highlight the importance in building an environment which allows new doctors to succeed and harness the enthusiasm they have.
“Being a newly qualified doctor is a challenging yet rewarding time, but they must remember that they are not alone. Working in a clinical team allows them to help and support each other and seek guidance and advice from senior colleagues and peers. This is positively evident in our survey, which showed that 87% agree or strongly agree that they would be prepared to cover a colleague’s work for a short period, so that they may take a break. “However, just under two thirds do not or do not at all feel supported by their practice/hospital management – it is therefore imperative that there is the right mix of support from clinical leaders, peers and managers, as this can help prevent the loss of these hard-working and highly skilled doctors.”
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the immediate staffing shortfall.” Professor Jackie Taylor, college president
at The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, added: “Given the current workforce crisis facing all parts of the NHS, it’s vital that we address the issue of NHS pensions if we’re to retain our most experienced NHS staff. “We welcome this change of heart by the government, because we know from our own conversations with members that the current system is driving many consultants to reduce their working hours or seek early retirement. We’ll be studying the new proposals in detail when they are published, but we welcome the fact that the government have acknowledged the scale of this problem.”
“If they can find a solution to this issue the government will begin to demonstrate that it values its experienced staff.
Ultrasound technology will improve patient
experience Two new state-of-the-art ultrasound scanners are set to reduce discomfort and speed up recovery for patients undergoing mastectomies and other surgical procedures at the Friarage Hospital, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The scanners, which are designed to significantly reduce discomfort through the more accurate use of an anaesthetic technique called nerve blocking, have been provided thanks to a £42,000 investment from the Friends of the Friarage. Used with a local anaesthetic, or in combination with a general anaesthetic, nerve blocking allows a highly targeted approach to anesthetising the patient prior to surgery. This results in an improved patient experience, with quicker recovery rates and lower numbers of patients having to stay in hospital overnight. Consultant anaesthetist Richard Muzawazi said: “The staff are delighted that the Friarage has now got these two ultrasound machines which can be used for guided nerve blocking, reducing risk of sickness and pain after surgery; allowing most patients to be discharged home on the same day. “Nerve blocking also allows patients considered not fit for general anaesthesia to have their operations done under nerve block alone. “The combined impact of all this is that ward nursing staff can concentrate more on the patients who are critically ill, as their overall workload is reduced. This happens as patients experience fewer side effects from anaesthesia and are more often pain free.”
SEPTEMBER 2019
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