How robust is WTD compliance in your Trust?
Safe, sustainable solutions for WTD are a high
priority for the College. We are now more than 8 months into
implementation of WTD 2009, but concerns remain about non-compliant
rotas, vacancies and the failure to utilise funds allocated for
trained doctor solutions.
The RCPCH 2009 survey of Clinical Leads/
Directors in England, show that only 46 out of 123 consultant posts
created as a WTD solution have been recurrently funded. Further
findings are shown below.
Survey Findings
A survey of all Clinical Directors of acute paediatrics in
England was conducted in November 2009 with a 72% response rate.
With data from the previous 2 email surveys and the workforce
census, the College has comprehensive data about the impact of
WTD.
- New Consultant Posts as a solution to WTD. We estimate 123
consultant posts were created as a WTD solution in 2009. Only 82 of
these include resident shift working and only 45.8 are estimated to
be fully funded from the £50m DH funding.
- Units that say they are concerned that they will not be
able to cope within 6 months. Almost 73% of respondents reported
that they were concerned that their service will not be able to
cope with the demands placed on it in the next 6 months.
- Non-compliant rotas. 44% of responding trusts reported that at
least one of their middle grade rotas (general or neonatal) was
non-compliant and 9% (10/111) reported that at least one junior
rota was non-compliant.
- Paper compliance. Over 55% (60/109) stated that although
all rotas were compliant on paper; this was not the case in
practice.
- Impact on Patient Care and Training. 18.5% of those
responding stated that the excess work undertaken by consultants
has had an effect on planned patient care and over 42% said it had
an impact on training of junior staff.
- Vacancies. The College's November survey and the 2009
census indicate that there are at least 180 training and 120
service vacancies in paediatrics in England.
Advice
The RCPCH is working very closely with DH to look at ways
to ensure that more of these posts are established. DH has
reassured the College that funding is still available. Please
contact us if you want advice on how to set up these posts.
Email Martin
McColgan or telephone him in the first instance 020 7092
6162.
Workforce Solutions Workshop 13th May
2010
A workshop for UK acute paediatric/neonatal Clinical Leads/
Directors is being organised at the College on 13th May
to provide further advice on establishing new consultant posts
as a trained doctor solution to EWTD. The workshop will include
- Examples of good practice and team job
planning
- Resident consultant models
- North West process and evaluation of the
posts
- Processes to ensure that the posts are established
- How standards will help to drive change.
It will also further explore the future roles
of consultant paediatricians ( acute general ) and
neonatologists , see also Role
of the Consultant, RCPCH 2009
We plan to invite delegates from DH and expert speakers. Further
details will appear on this website and be circulated on Clinical
Leads e-bulletins. If you would like to know more or contribute to
the workshop, email Martin
McColgan
A Guide to the Implications of the European Working Time
Directive for Doctors in training
Was published by DH in December 2009
A Guide to
the Implications of the WTD for Trainees
RCPCH Advice on WTD & Consultant Working Patterns
(issued July 22nd 2009)
Provides advice to consultants to reflect the expected pressures
on general and neonatal rotas when the directive comes into
force in August 2009.
RCPCH
Advice on WTD (July 2009)
The European Working Time Directive - What does it mean for
paediatricians?(RCPCH May 2009)
This RCPCH document provides information on EWTD rules,
derogation and opt-out, and how to bid for new consultant
paediatricians to support EWTD compliance.
EWTD - What
does it mean for paediatrics?
WTD Frequently Asked Questions
The HealthCare Workforce (Skills for Health)
website contains answers to FAQs about the WTD as well as
offering advice and contact details of the WTD leads in SHAs and
other NHS organisations in the UK
NHS Employers issued a similar document
for trust implementation teams in June 2009
Department of Health website also provides a
page on FAQs for 2009
European Working Time Directive - Funds for Consultant
Expansion
The Department of Health (DH) confirmed their commitment to
support the NHS in achieving compliance with the EWTD by
August 2009 in a letter dated 12 February 2009. In particular £50
million will be targeted to Trusts according to SHA direction to
support trained doctor solutions, particularly in paediatrics and
obstetric services. The full text of the DH letter is reproduced
here.
DH EWTD
Letter 12th February 2009
Working Time Directive 2009
The final stage of the (European) Working Time
Directive will be implemented in 2009. RCPCH has undertaken a
joint
project with the Royal College of Obstetricians and
Gynaecologists to assess the impact of the 2009 implementation.
This project is now completed and has been published.