Health Select Committee and Minister discuss Emergency Services

On Tuesday 25 June 2013 the Health Select Committee, of which Valerie is a member, heard evidence from Rt Hon Earl Howe, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Quality, Department of Health; .

Valerie said:

“I asked the Minister about workforce issues within emergency care. The College of Emergency Medicine given evidence that there was a 50% shortfall of trainees in the last 3 years. There were currently 10 consultants required for A and E Departments and 16 for larger ones. The current levels are 7 and 10 respectively. The Minister said that the College of Emergency Medicine and Health Education England had been tasked to look at this issue and he was awaiting their advice. However the College of Emergency Medicine did not mention this in their evidence. ”

“I asked what incentives are currently in place to attract trainee doctors to emergency medicine. The Minister suggested that employing overseas emergency doctors would provide a short term solution but recognised that there was a long term solution needed such as reviewing salaries for emergency doctors. I also asked about the rate of attrition in the A and E speciality compared to other departments but there were no figures available from any of the witnesses.”

Footage of The Health Select Committee evidence session for the inquiry into Emergency Services and Emergency Care can be found here: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=13411