The recent thread about senior cover 24hrs had an important undercurrent about
the rest of the staffing.
In the past SHOs have been used to do most of the work of seeing unselected
patients. The A&E registrar programme never staffed all departments at a middle
grade. Now the SpR programme is less able to do this with its tie to consultant
vacancies.
The question of who will do the work is being answered in most departments and
in the appointments section of the BMJ. Staff grade doctors are filling the
gaps between increased consultant involvement and junior doctor number control.
There are various official NCCG (non-consultant career grade) titles, but there
are new unofficial ones each week. As a group NCCGs are growing rapidly. We
are also beginning to organise, with BAEMs FASGEM, and now with a craft committee
in the BMA.
A&E medicine is one of the specialities most reliant on these doctors.
My questions for the list are;
what do you see the role of NCCGs as in your departments?
what do you think are the benefits of being NCCGs?
what are the negative aspects of being an NCCG?
what ongoing training is necessary for NCCGs?
who, in addition to the individual, is responsible for that training?
oh and can we have more money please as the shos are leaving us behind.
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