British Medical Association Attacks NHS Employers Decision Not To Open Talks On Doctors' Accommodation, UK

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 28 May 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The BMA criticised NHS Employers for refusing to enter into talks over the loss of hospital accommodation support for newly qualified doctors in England and Scotland1.

From August 2008, junior doctors will no longer be entitled to free hospital accommodation in their first year after leaving medical school. This policy change will cost many an estimated £4,800 p.a. and comes at a time when medical students are already facing average graduation debts of £20,000.

At a meeting with the BMA today, NHS Employers refused to open meaningful talks about how junior doctors could be helped to cope with the financial impact of this decision.

The BMA has written to the Government asking for ministers to intervene and has organised a series of peaceful protests outside teaching hospitals. Further action is planned for later in the summer.

Mr Ram Moorthy, Chairman of the BMA's Junior Doctor Committee, said:

"It is a disgrace that NHS Employers will not even talk to the BMA about the ramifications of ending free hospital accommodation support for first year junior doctors.

"The NHS undertook no negotiations with the profession before taking this decision and has provided no proposals or funding that will help new graduates deal with an additional accommodation cost of £4,800.

"Medical student debt, which already stands at an average of £20,000, is expected to rise considerably in the next few years now that variable top up fees have been introduced. Adding to this debt level could make medicine an increasingly unattractive career path, especially for those from lower socio-economic groups.

"Since NHS Employers has refused to help junior doctors next year or address the fallout for future generations, the BMA will continue to press forcefully, through all means possible, to get this decision changed.

"The BMA strongly urges ministers to think again and step in to help junior doctors and medical students."

For further information about the BMA's "No room for more debt - Save our accommodation campaign" visit the BMA website.

The provision of free accommodation to doctors in the first year of their medical career (Foundation Year One) has previously been used as an argument against larger increases to basic junior doctor salaries.

In 2006, the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB) said:

"…if in the future a decision were taken to withdraw the free accommodation, we would want to consider the consequences for those affected" (DDRB, 2006)

Despite this statement, the government amended the Medical Act (1983) with the result that these junior doctors no longer have access to free hospital accommodation. Neither the DDRB nor the government offered any financial support to the 7,000 approx. doctors affected by this decision.

For further information about the BMA's campaign against the decision to end hospital accommodation support for junior doctors, watch a short film on BMAtv.

Or visit the BMA website.

British Medical Association

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