Concerns over junior doctor work

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A medical union concerned about the working conditions of junior doctors has launched a campaign aimed at improving their working lives.

The British Medical Association (BMA) Wales says junior doctors experience bullying and a lack of training which is hitting patient care and careers.

Union chairman Dr Andrew Dearden said the issue was beginning to affect the reputation of training in Wales.

The BMA will meet NHS trust chiefs to draw up an action plan.

BMA Wales said junior doctors were suffering because of unsafe staffing levels, intimidation, rota gaps and insufficient locum cover in Welsh hospitals.

Dr Dearden said the union had heard of some worrying cases concerning junior doctors which seemed 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," he said.

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 Dr David Samuel, BMA Wales junior doctors committee

"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."

BMA Wales said it would offer support to employers to resolve the problems highlighted.

It also said it would draw up an action plan with NHS health board managers and the Wales Deanery, which is responsible for training grade posts, to address the issues.

'Endemic situation'

Dr Dearden and BMA Welsh secretary Dr Richard Lewis 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, said some of the issues were much more far-reaching.

"I think we are just scratching the surface at the moment of what could prove to be an endemic situation," he said.

"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 campaign, called Option 7 after the option on a BMA phone line that juniors can select to discuss bullying, has a presence on Facebook and You Tube.