Junior doctors are still overworked

Editor - I am worried. Recently I received through the post an information sheet from the BMA which included advice on contracts for new preregistration house officers. “check your contract carefully,” it advises. FFIet, as a final year student, I ask myself what is the point?

I am voicing complaints made by house officers because they are too scared to do so lest it affects their career prospects. Trusts are continuing to abuse their power by failing to provide external cover as contracted. As a result house officers are working way beyond their contracted hours. They are being told that no locums are available when it obviously is not true. ¢onsultants are then asked to “have a word” with their house officers to cover. They are then too scared to complain because of the need for a good reference. In fact, all over Britain personnel staff are work. ing to pay related performance; the fewer locums used, the more money is saved for the trust and the more money they earn themselves. The more overworked their house officers become, the richer they get.

until house officers stop being abused I may as well throw my contract in the bin now.

Suzy Bell, fifth year medical student, Southampton university
Email: 56697@soton.ac.uk


studentBMJ 2001;09:399-442 November ISSN 0966-6494