‘Shocking’ figures show consultant vacancies 2.5 times higher than official data

“Shocking” new figures from doctors claim 1,165 consultant posts in Scotland’s NHS are vacant – with doctors insisting their data “simply cannot be ignored”.

While the latest official figures showed there were 447 whole time equivalent (WTE) consultant vacancies, the British Medical Association said the “true extent” of unfilled jobs was much higher.

Data BMA Scotland obtained from health boards using Freedom of Information showed NHS Scotland has a consultant vacancy rate of 16.8%, compared to the official rate of 6.7%.

With the BMA research showing 1,165 WTE consultant jobs vacant, Joanna Bredski said that “gaps in the senior doctor workforce” could be contributing to long waits for treatment for patients.

Dr Bredski, chair of the BMA Scotland’s consultant committee, said: “The official figures on consultant vacancies are alarming enough – but our figures showing the true extent of the gaps in the senior doctor workforce are shocking and simply cannot be ignored.”

She added: “The reality on the ground is that our FOI indicated well over a thousand posts are unfilled.

“This leaves patients facing lengthy waiting lists because there are not enough consultants to keep up with demand, with many being forced to pay for their own treatment in the private sector.

“And it leaves doctors facing huge pressures in trying to deliver the best for their patients while working in often vastly understaffed departments.”

Dr Bredski said the situation was a “vicious, self-defeating circle that means we lose doctors while patients suffer”.

The research comes after a survey by the BMA found that one in four senior doctors said their workload is “unmanageable” with two thirds claiming work is “harming their wellbeing”.

Dr Bredski added it was “particularly concerning” that a quarter of doctors who took part in the survey “told us that services in their areas of work are normally unsafe”

She said that BMA Scotland had “consistently warned of the urgent need to deliver a comprehensive and forward-thinking workforce plan for the NHS which looks at level of patient need and the doctors required for the future”

However she added: “Unless the true scale of vacancies is recognised, any workforce plan risks being a worthless paper exercise that will fail to deliver the change which is so urgently needed.”

Speaking out about the “huge workforce challenges” in the NHS, Dr Bredski said: “We now need action to ensure the NHS medical workforce can meet the needs of the population.”

Reform MSP Graham Simpson challenged NHS Scotland chief executive Caroline Lamb on the “big discrepancy” between the official figures and the BMA’s figures,  describing the situation was “really worrying”.

He added: “Given this level of vacancies it is little wonder that waiting lists are what they are and its also little wonder people turn to private health care.”

Ms Lamb told him: “We need to go away and have a look at where the BMA are sourcing their data.”

Speaking as she appeared at Holyrood’s Public Audit Committee, she added: “I will do my best to respond to the committee.”

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.