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More than 1,000 doctors plan to leave the NHS because they are disillusioned with the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and frustrated with their salary, according to a new survey.
Doctors intend to move abroad, take a career hiatus, switch to private hospitals, or give up working as substitutes, amid growing concerns about mental health and stress levels in the profession.
“NHS doctors have come out of this pandemic beaten, bruised and burned,” said Dr Samantha Batt-Rawden, president of the UK Medical Association, who conducted the research. The sheer number of doctors who say they will leave the NHS within three years is “a shocking indictment of the government’s failure to value our nation’s doctors,” he added. “These are dedicated professionals who have risked their lives time and time again to keep patients safe on the NHS, and we could be on the verge of losing them.”
In total, 1,758 physicians across the UK responded when DAUK conducted an online survey among its members. She asked: “Did the pandemic and the government’s treatment of front line doctors during the pandemic affect your decision to stay or leave the NHS?” Almost seven in ten – 1,214 (69%) – said it made them more likely to leave the health service, while 26% said it did not.
When asked “where do you see yourself working in the next one to three years?”, Nearly two-thirds of physicians, 1,143 (65%), said they would leave the NHS. That finding has sparked renewed concern over a shortage of NHS staff, as the service in England already has openings for 8,278 doctors, according to the most recent official figures.
The most common reason for planning to quit smoking, cited by 74% of respondents, was what DAUK said was the lack of a salary increase in real terms. While the government recently announced a 2.8% pay increase for many doctors in England, including consultants, it does not cover doctors in training or most GPs.
Other key factors included a lack of personal protective equipment (65%), doctors were not allowed to speak publicly (54%), the repeal of promises made to NHS staff during the pandemic, such as free parking (46%). ) and the impact of the crisis on their own mental health (45%).
Some respondents contrasted the respect shown towards NHS staff for their work in caring for Covid-19 patients for 10 weeks by ‘applauding the caregivers’ with what they said was the ministers’ disdain for them, for example, when they were accused of wearing too much PPE.
One doctor said: “I feel like the government regards NHS workers as cannon fodder in general. Bad pay, bad conditions, inadequate PPE, flimsy promises made for political gain. After more than 20 years on the front line, I am exhausted, ill and without support. “
Another doctor, from an EU country, said they planned to return home as a result of the fiasco over high taxes on pensions for NHS doctors and “xenophobia and at least the weekly ridicule of my accent (from fellow consultants and other staff), ”He added:“ I am absolutely sure that I am making the right decision, but I am also saddened to leave a system that, despite everything, still provides so much attention. But I’m done sacrificing my physical and mental health for it. “
Batt-Rawden added: “Front-line staff have felt exploited and expendable. Is it any wonder so many are now making plans to leave once the pandemic is over? “
Justin Madders, a shadow Labor minister for health, said: “It is no wonder that the government’s incompetent handling of the pandemic has pushed many doctors to think about leaving. Against the background of years of wage moderation, they seem to feel that their recent efforts in the fight against coronavirus are not appreciated.
The Department of Health and Welfare said it was “extremely proud” of the NHS workers. “We want all staff to be able to work flexibly and have access to the practical and emotional support they need to take care of their physical and mental health, and the NHS People Plan released last month demonstrates our commitment to making the NHS the best place. possible for work.
“We have been working tirelessly to deliver PPE to protect people on the front line, with over 3.1 billion items delivered and over 31 billion orders to UK manufacturers and international partners to provide a continuous supply,” said a spokesman.
