Responding to General Medical Council (GMC) research showing thousands of doctors could be considering leaving UK practice, Chris Kenny, chief executive of MDDUS said:
“These findings are extremely concerning and if doctors’ intentions as reflected in this survey were to come to reality, it would have a devastating impact on patients and on the remainder of the medical workforce.
“The GMC findings that doctors feel undervalued also reflect our own research which last year found most doctors in the UK were suffering from moral distress due to the challenges faced by the NHS.
“The impact of moral distress, when doctors cannot deliver high quality care because of system issues outside their control, is another significant factor in doctors choosing to leave the NHS.
“Our survey found that of doctors suffering from moral distress, 40% were planning to quit the health service. This chimes with the latest warning from the GMC.”
Mr Kenny added: “The GMC report highlights, too, the importance of international medical graduates (IMGs) in keeping the NHS workforce at the numbers it needs to cope with demand.
“We know from our own work that many overseas doctors experience unacceptable racist microaggressions and abuse at work – from patients and staff.
“This new report underlines the urgent need to improve the welfare conditions IMGs require to fulfil their vital role in the NHS.”
ENDS
The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) is a mutual organisation that protects the professional interests of more than 56,000 doctors and dentists across the United Kingdom, offering access to indemnity, support and legal advice.
For further information, please contact Alison Hardie, head of strategic communications and public affairs, on ahardie@mddus.com or on 07501 421398
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