Children’s unit closure fears as rota vacancies pose threat to patient safety

Children’s unit closure fears as rota vacancies pose threat to patient safety 77% of respondents in a workforce survey say service is unsustainable

Children’s doctors have called for a shake-up in how hospital services are delivered as more than two thirds of lead paediatricians say they are concerned about how the service is going to cope in the next six months.

The annual ‘Rota Vacancies and Compliance Survey,’ found that vacancies and gaps on middle grade rotas continue to be hard to fill, with evidence suggesting there are not enough appropriate staff to plug current gaps. This has sparked fears over patient safety, trainees’ wellbeing and sustainability of delivering services. Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

See also:

• Rota compliance and vacancies Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
• RCN responds to RCPCH concerns about impact of staff shortages on children’s services Royal College of Nursing
• NHS children's units could be forced to close because so many female doctors are going on maternity leave The Daily Mail
• NHS children's units under threat from rise in female doctors The Daily Telegraph