The RemedyUK/ HCSA Contract Clinic

Having just spent a day (Friday 16 November) at the
offices of Remedy UK advising its members on
contractual and employment issues I was struck by just
how difficult and upsetting the current plight of
trainees has been. From my discussions with members of
RemedyUK my impression is that all too often employers
and Deaneries are concerned more with cost savings
than the provision of quality teaching and looking
after the professional and personal lives of doctors
in training.

The evidence? Well what about the trainee who still
has no contract of employment from her Trust despite
being told that no longer would the provisions of her
earlier contract with the Deanery apply. Or the
trainee who at three days notice had to drop
everything to move 120 miles yet was told that
expenses would not be paid. Or the trainee whose
concerns with colleagues about the poor standard of
training were being ignored? And throughout the day
these and other similar tales of woe were being
received into the RemedyUK Office.

I have seen and heard for myself in just one day in
the RemedyUK office some of the many and real problems
they are facing. The discredited MTAS system has done
a huge disservice to the senior doctors of tomorrow. I
just hope that Trusts and Deaneries can find it within
themselves to show considerable more support to
trainees than would currently seem to be the case.

Stephen Campion
Chief Executive
Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association