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Junior doctors' leader attacks NHS change for change's sake

26/04/2008

Reorganisation of the NHS has been for change's sake rather than for the needs of patients, a junior doctors' leader will say today.

Ram Moorthy, chairman of the British Medical Association's (BMA) junior doctors committee, is to argue that changes in the NHS have been "driven by political expediency" and not with patients or those who treat them in mind.

His comments will be made at the BMA's annual conference of junior doctors.

"We are vital providers of care, and need training throughout our careers," he will say.

"Reform for reform's sake must stop, or the casualties of short term thinking will continue to be those that the NHS depends on."

Mr Moorthy will also outline how junior doctors feel unappreciated in the NHS.

Problems with applications and finding posts emerged last year when the changes of Modernising Medical Careers came into place.

The committee leader will warn today that anger about the problems is still "simmering under the surface" and that concerns are not set to go away.

The BMA claims that latest figures for England indicate that 18,000 doctors have applied to around 8,800 posts with competition ratios as high as 25 to one in some specialties.

"Junior doctors feel that they are not viewed as dedicated professionals who embrace a difficult role, and make decisions of fundamental importance," Mr Moorthy

"They keep the service running, working anti-social hours, covering gaps in the rota, whilst always ensuring that patients receive the high quality care they deserve and expect.

"Instead junior doctors are made to feel like a nuisance, a problem to be 'got round' by employers and government."

Other issues to be discussed at the conference include the withdrawal of free accommodation for new medical graduates.

The conference will vote on whether the BMA should take action on the issue.