The report found that:
- One in three doctors say they are unable to progress their education, training and careers in the way they want.
- 81% of doctors who felt they could progress their career as they wanted were satisfied, and 59% were at very low risk of burnout.
- By contrast, of those who did not feel this way, only 33% were satisfied, and just 18% were at very low risk of burnout.
Paediatricians surveyed reported:
- 76% were satisfied with their role.
- 22% were struggling with workload.
- 10% have taken hard steps to leave UK practice.
- 22% reported difficulty providing patient care.
- 14% were at high risk of burnout.
- 76% felt they were part of a supportive team.
- 44% feel able to progress toward desired career.
RCPCH President, Professor Steve Turner, said:
I read this year’s workforce experience report in the context of the Westminster Government’s recently published 10-Year Plan. I welcome the commitment to transforming the NHS into a more accessible and community focused service and recognise that this strategic transformation approach is developing across all four nations of the UK but fundamentally, the success of these plans will also depend on sustained investment in and support for the whole paediatric workforce.
The Darzi Review rightly highlighted the decline in children's health and wellbeing. Despite the best efforts of the child health workforce, chronic underinvestment and a lack of focus on children in health policy, has resulted in children across the UK having some of the worst health outcomes in Europe. As a society we should be deeply concerned to see a fifth of those surveyed reporting difficultly in providing patient care to children, who are some of the UK’s most vulnerable patients.
I know first hand how fulfilling a career in paediatrics can be. So, whilst I'm encouraged to see that paediatrics stands out for positive experiences among specialties, reading that 56% of our trainee doctors do not feel able to progress as they want, with one in ten actively looking to leave the UK, gives me serious cause for concern. And whilst I am pleased to see the proportion of our trainees at high risk for burn out fall to 14%, this is equivalent to one person on a typical middle grade rota. Burnout should not be an occupational hazard of being a doctor in today’s NHS.
Children are too often overlooked in key policy conversations, particularly those concerning health. The upcoming workforce plan, as part of the 10-Year Plan’s ambitions and equivalent NHS workforce plans in the devolved nations, represents unique opportunities to create long-term, meaningful change for the NHS and the patients it serves. It is vital that the paediatrics workforce remains a priority in political decision-making. With elections approaching in the devolved nations, we must prioritise thoughtful and coordinated cross-sector collaboration to ensure we build the healthiest generation yet.