Maternity and Obstetrics

Facing an ‘unprecedented workforce crisis’

Whilst it’s been apparent for some time that the NHS has been facing a major shortage of doctors, with vacancies rising by 10 per cent over the last year, a recent report has shown the impact this is having on obstetrics and gynaecology.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists reports that around 30 per cent of trainees who start on the Obstetrics and Gynaecology programme don’t make it through to the end, and 25 per cent of those qualifying as consultants don’t secure an NHS post within three years of finishing their training, although they may return to the specialism later.

The Royal College is working to identify why doctors are leaving obstetrics and gynaecology to see if this trend can be reversed. Around half of the consultants working in this specialism obtained their medical degree outside the UK.

Locum doctors and trainees also come from overseas, leading to the Royal College calling on the government to review the immigration regulations, especially in light of the UK’s imminent departure from the EU.
 

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