British Medical Association Cymru Wales Launches The 'Option 7' Campaign - To Improve The Lives Of Junior Doctors

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 04 Aug 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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BMA Cymru Wales on Monday launched a campaign aimed at improving the working lives of junior doctors in Wales.

The doctors' trade union has become increasingly concerned about working conditions of junior doctors and the impact that this could have both on careers and on patient safety. This includes;

• Lack of training opportunities


• Unsafe staffing levels


• Bullying/ intimidation


• Non-compliant rota/ rota gaps


• Insufficient locum cover

Junior doctors are understandably afraid to voice any concerns themselves with senior management, for fear of repercussions.

That is why BMA Cymru Wales is launching the Option 7 campaign - named after the option on a BMA phone line that juniors can select, to discuss bullying and harassment in confidence.

The on-going campaign will involve BMA Welsh secretary Dr Richard Lewis and BMA Welsh council chairman Dr Andrew Dearden meeting with the chairs and chief executives of the new NHS health boards in Wales.

Dr Dearden says: "We are hearing of some worrying cases concerning junior doctors, which seem to be more widespread than just "one-off" incidents. It has got to the point where it is starting to affect the reputation of training in Wales. It will also further adversely affect the recruitment and retention of junior doctors in Wales, which it is probably fair to say, is at a critical point now.

"Those who raise concerns are afraid of retribution and retaliation, and we decided we could no longer deal with these on a one-to-one basis, that there was a very real need for a dedicated campaign by BMA Cymru Wales, on behalf of junior doctors.

"It is vitally important that we get the message out there that this type of behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated, no matter what the source, either from management or clinical staff.

In the meetings with NHS health board managers (chief executives and chairs), BMA Cymru Wales will be offering support to employers to resolve the problems highlighted and drawing up an action plan together, with the involvement of the Wales Deanery, to include;

• What exactly will be done to address the issues


• Who will take responsibility for making sure action is taken


• Setting deadlines for action and resolving problems raised in these meetings

Dr Lewis and Dr Dearden will also be meeting as many junior doctors as possible during the campaign.

Dr David Samuel, Chairman of the BMA's Welsh junior doctors committee thinks some of the issues are much more far-reaching: "I think we are just scratching the surface at the moment of what could prove to be an endemic situation.

"We understand that trusts have to meet targets and have gaps to fill on the rotas, but the training and welfare of juniors are also important."

The Option 7 campaign also has a facebook presence with groups set up for juniors and their families and friends to show their support for the campaign.

For more information, visit www.bma.org.uk

View Dr Andrew Dearden and Dr David Samuel talking about the Option 7 Campaign on BMA Cymru TV on YouTube, follow the link below;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQSYSDT8wRc&feature=channel_page

Source
The British Medical Association.

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