Question on Junior Doctors Training

Speech by David Ford delivered to Assembly on Mon 22nd Oct 2007

Mr Ford: I also thank the Minister for his statement and for taking this issue seriously. Immediately after taking office, the Minister met a number of us, and junior doctors, and ensured that we now have at least the makings of a local solution to our local problem. I declare my interest as a parent of two junior doctors in training who both - I am happy to say - secured full training posts in this year's round. I welcome the Minister's statement that those training posts will be honoured. I would, however, like to tease out what is not currently in the statement.

The Minister has given us full details of the unemployment of junior doctors, but I am concerned about the underemployment. Will the Minister provide details of how many people are currently only in single-year, short-term, unrecognised posts, because they are the casualties who could be forgotten?

In the context of the Minister's reference to Professor Hayes's recommendation about the inflexibility in the process, which could result in highly qualified doctors being locked out, will he tell us a little bit more about how those who have had difficulties this year will be able to regain training posts in future years?

Mr McGimpsey: One of the stipulations of the Hayes Review was that if doctors missed out on training posts for one year, they would not be precluded from applying for the speciality of their choice when they reapplied at the end of the year, thereby ensuring that experience would not count against them.

The position is different when a doctor misses a speciality, but there are other posts available that need to be filled over the next number of months - that happens continually. I cannot give Mr Ford a definitive answer, or numbers, on the underemployment of doctors. I can write to the Member on that, although I am assured that the problem is getting cover for patients, not underemployment of doctors.