In a joint response from the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Prof Derek Bell, President, and Dr Katherine Walesby, Chair of the Trainees and Members’ Committee, said:
“The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh supports the BMA’s plans to hold a symposium on quality and consistent healthcare throughout the week and welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the event.
“The dispute over the junior doctors’ contract has raised many issues not only relating to trainees but to the wider workforce. While this will not resolve the outstanding concerns with the contract, we hope that the Secretary of State will accept this offer to debate and find solutions to the current challenges facing those working on the frontline of the NHS and how to address these in the long term.
“Earlier this year the College held an expert workshop which concluded that providing consistent hospital care and services over seven days requires multi-professional solutions and must be based on robust research, data and analysis.
“The College is committed to ensuring that the values of time to care, time to train and time for research become an intrinsic part of the culture of the NHS. Working together - with healthcare professionals, the Government and patients - will help us to invest in the future for patients and the profession, and create a sustainable workforce in the long term.”
Contact: Lisa Rooke - 0131 247 3688 / 07717 895628 / l.rooke@rcpe.ac.uk
