Training bites the dust

The Junior Doctor's Committee at the BMA has written to Patsy about the way that the Department of Health is raiding training budgets to cover the deficits, the Health Service Journal has announced.

"While we give due regard to the financial constraints upon the NHS, patients will receive a lower standard of care if doctors do not have access to the training this budget funds." says the letter.

This happened last year of course with the underspends by SHA's reducing the overall deficit by £524 million - these saving were largely from training budgets.

This form of saving is another example of short-termism, why consider the future need when a quick fix is needed. The lack of preparation for future needs embodies the government's approach in most areas of policy, so why should the NHS be different?

Stuart