Hi Peter
First and foremost, if you are doing a 1:1 rota, when can you drink alcohol
in any great measure? To some this would be a fundamental human right! I
would be curious to know the response of any trust where this question has
been asked of them, especially if the job spec did not indicate that only
teetotallers may apply.
As far as the once a week lab visit with no on-site consultant is concerned,
I thought this only really applied to satellite or hot labs linked in the
same accreditation to other main labs which had permanent on-site staff.
Single labs without on-site cover would be viewed differently.
Lastly, I find it difficult to comprehend why any colleagues should wish to
waive (or not pursue) appropriate on call payments for what can be quite a
restrictive duty. I cannot think of another 24/7 service within the hospital
which would not ultimately have 24/7 consultant cover and not have that
consultant paid in some way for providing the cover. Indeed, it could be
argued that by providing the service alturistically, it subliminally
devalues this part of our job in the eyes of other staff.
My rule of thumb? What would a surgeon ask for/do in this situation?!
Eric
Dr. Eric S. Kilpatrick
Consultant in Chemical Pathology
Department of Clinical Biochemistry
Hull Royal Infirmary
Anlaby Road
Hull HU3 2JZ
Tel 01482-607708
Fax 01482-607752
>From: "Sharpe, Peter Dr" <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: "Sharpe, Peter Dr" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: single-handed consultants & out-of-hours service
>Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2005 12:22:07 -0000
>
>Dear Colleague,
>
>I think there is great inconsistency and confusion from CPA over the
>issue of single-handed consultants. My lab has recently been inspected
>and has been given a critical non-compliance as I am a single-handed
>Chemical Pathologist. I also provide a 1:1 on call rota, with over 90%
>of the calls out-of-hours involving CSF spectrophotometry. When I am on
>leave, telephone cover only is provided by other consultants.
>
>However, under the CPA document "Guidelines for Single-handed consultant
>practice in Medical Laboratories" (www.cpa-uk.co.uk/support/shcf.htm),
>there is actually provision made for labs without on site consultants,
>as long as the consultant attends normally once per week (dependent on
>the demands of the service). I find this extraordinary!
>
>The CPA guidelines allow labs with single-handed consultants to be
>accredited, but specify that there must be formal, agreed, deputy cover
>for all absences. The amount of cover provided by the deputy will depend
>on the level of expertise of the staff in the department. Telephone
>and/or electronic cover may be acceptable if there is on site a grade B
>scientist (17 or above), or an associate Specialist, or a SpR who is
>within 3 months of obtaining CCST. Does this mean that if there is not
>this level of expertise that the locum consultant needs to be on site
>full-time, whereas if the lab normally had no on-site consultant, a once
>per week visit would be satisfactory???
>
>These guidelines are inconsistent and the CPA inspectors interpret them
>in different ways. How can a lab with no on site consultants be
>accredited if a visiting consultant attends once per week, but a lab
>with a full time on-site consultant, such as my own, be denied
>accreditation if telephone cover is provided by another consultant when
>he/she is on leave for 6 weeks per year? Of course I would love a
>full-time Consultant colleague, but financial constraints preclude this
>at the present time
>
>I would value your thoughts
>
>Best wishes
>
>Peter
>
>
>
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