Doctors urged to have say on future of profession

Doctors in Scotland are being asked for their views on the future of the profession.

A “once-in-a-generation” project has been launched to look at the current shape of the health service and gauge the views of the profession on how it should look in the next 15 to 20 years.

The health service has gone through a period of prolonged struggle in the past decade, with high waiting times and long lists of Scots yet to be seen or treated.

Multiple political parties have said there is a need for reform in the NHS to ensure it is sustainable in the long term, but few concrete ideas have been put forward by Government.

As part of the first phase of the Future Medical Workforce initiative, doctors are being asked to come forward for a series of focus groups looking at the future of training, recruitment and workforce planning – but the project will not cover the pay and conditions of medics.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of the medical workforce and create a sustainable, fulfilling career path for doctors in Scotland.

“We know the NHS faces major challenges, and it is vital that those living the reality of what it means to be a doctor today are at the heart of shaping what comes next.

“I strongly encourage doctors across Scotland to get involved in this work. Your voice matters and your insight will help ensure that the future of our health service is informed, inclusive and resilient.”

Focus groups are due to begin this month, with doctors asked to sign up at https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=R3T3DoMQ7E24nyfHZQdoQH-m-3bO8hdFnuUuD1V6gZpUNE9ZRU1JRTNVS0NIT1BVNElZWEFXSVUwTi4u&route=shorturl.