Specialty doctors receive funding boost

Health minister Ann Keen has announced an extra seven million pounds worth of funding to boost development opportunities for speciality doctors and associate specialists.

The funding commitment is part of a package of government initiatives linked to the approval of their new contracts.

Subject to the agreement of the new contract, a new grade of specialty doctor is to be introduced, followed by the release of the publication Employing and Support Specialty Doctors – A Guide to Good Practice.

The guide is hoped to bring a more structured approach to the professional development of specialty doctors.

Ms Keen stressed that specialist doctors played a “pivotal role” in the delivery of NHS services and that the extra money would help them follow the career path of their choice as well as strengthen their skills along the way.

“The new contract will offer a number of benefits to specialty doctors – the new name for staff grade doctors – and associate specialists including a renewed focus on professional development in recognition of their important contribution to the NHS.”

The government has this week announced plans to recruit an additional 4,000 midwives to the NHS over the next three years.