NHS struggling with ‘understaffing epidemic’, study claims

The NHS is suffering from an ‘understaffing epidemic’ due to the introduction of the European working time directive (EWTD), a new study has claimed.

British Medical Association (BMA) research has discovered that many hospitals are noting vacancies on their rotas which should be being filled by experienced doctors, with emergency departments the hardest hit.

Dr Shree Datta, chair of the BMA’s junior doctor committee, described the findings as “hugely alarming”, calling for hospitals to re-examine the organisation of rotas to avoid bureaucracy and “inappropriate work”.

She said: “Clearly many hospitals are struggling to cope with the introduction of the 48-hour week. Running understaffed rotas cannot be the answer.”

In response to the report, a Department of Health spokesperson told inthenews.co.uk that the gaps in doctors’ rotas are due to factors such as annual leave and maternity, as well as expressing confidence that the NHS is “extremely adept” at managing such absences.