Senior doctor shortages affecting care, says poll

A LACK of senior doctors on duty is negatively impacting patient care, according to a poll.

- STORM NEWTON

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) said the NHS "cannot continue to ask doctors to perform the impossible", and called for action to tackle workforce shortages.

The RCP's latest Focus on Physicians Survey found 59% of consultants reported vacancies at their own grade, with 83% concerned that rota gaps are having a negative impact on patient care.

The poll found the most common consequences of consultant-level rota gaps were reduced access to out-of-hours inpatient care (39%) and longer hospital stays (28%).

Almost two-thirds of specialists (68%) also told the RCP they had experienced issues with delayed discharge from hospital.