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CONSULTANT NUMBERS AND CONSULTANT LABOUR WARD COVER
Geoff Leece's analysis is spot on. [Click here to read the original article]
I would like to point out two matters.
CONSULTANT REDUCTION
For your information, two Eastbourne consultants left in 2006. One was, however, unable to take up a new appointment. On learning that the Trust would be short of consultants and that the Trust had decided not to reappoint, the consultant offered to return to work in Eastbourne under the NHS early retirement ' retire and return ' scheme. This was refused by the Medical Director who stated that ' the Trust had made other arrangements ' and that there were no vacancies. The Clinical Director had previously been told by the Trust that the number of consultants was ' top heavy ' and that attempts shpuld be made to reduce consultant numbers underthe CIP ( Cost Improvement Programme ). There was no attempt to recruit a new colleague.
Similarly, a Hastings consultant retired in 2007 and has not been replaced.
A replacement substantive consultant for the other Eastbourne post has recently been appointed and I understand that she starts in March 2008. There is currently a locum in post.
The situation is that the substantive consultant numbers have been reduced from 11 in 2002 to 8 in 2007.
CONSULTANT/SPECIALIST COVER FOR LABOUR WARD
The RCOG and CNST requirement are for the labour ward presence ( be it availability, 40 or 60 hours ) of a consultant or ' equivalent'. The equivalent can be a locum consultant, staff grade, post CCT Clinical Fellow or specialist registrar waiting for a consultant post. The requirement is that these doctors have the CCT and/or are on the GMC Specialist Register.
I understand that there is at least one staff grade in Eastbourne who fulfills these criteria and another colleague who is eligible for such recognition. These doctors are not consultants but could be used top provide the required ' consultant or equivalent ' cover.
Vincent Argent
Medical Adviser to Option 5
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