Children's health at risk due to doctor shortage, says report
Scottish children's health is at risk because due to a lack of paediatric doctors, according to a new report.
Last updated 8th Mar 2019
A new Royal College of Paediatrics study warns the health of Scottish Children is at risk.
The report shows there needs to be 25% more child healthcare specialists to help cope with the growing demand.
Without the increase of paediatricians Scotland will struggle to offer the required standards of care to children.
The organisation has called for GPs to have an extra year of training focusing on Children's health
Professor Steve Turner spokesperson form the group said: "Tackling the shortage of paediatric doctors needs to be a priority. We know that unless more doctors are trained to be paediatricians today, the situation where paediatric wards are being closed will only get worse.
"The good news is that we know that Scottish doctors want to train in paediatrics in Scotland, and there are three young doctors applying for each job.
"We also know that doctors who train in Scotland become consultants in Scotland. However, the reality is that we are seeing vacancies and gaps in rotas across Scotland, especially in centres outside of the central belt.
"Our calculations suggest that at least 82 more consultant paediatricians need to be trained to meet demand.
"The need to increase trainee numbers in paediatrics has been recognised and we are grateful that eight additional posts will be available for 2019 - but this is a one-off 'sticking plaster' which does not address the underlying problem.
"I urge the Scottish Government, NHS Education Scotland, and the Scottish Health Boards to reflect on our findings and seriously consider how best to implement our recommendations as a matter of urgency.
"Failing to take the necessary steps now will be to the detriment of our children both today and in the future.''
Labour's shadow health secretary Monica Lennon said: "This expert report is a vitally important intervention that demands a serious response from the Government.
"Our NHS is facing a workforce crisis, with not enough staff to deliver the care patients deserve - and people will be shocked to see that this extends to the care of our children.
"The frank truth is there has been a total sense of complacency from the Government on the staffing problems our NHS faces.
"Scottish Labour would invest in our people and our public services to ensure our health service is fit for the future.''
Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary blamed "the long-term failure of the SNP to properly recruit and retain staff."
He added: "These are truly shocking figures highlighting a terrifying lack of paediatric doctors.
"It's extremely worrying that the SNP's failure to ensure we have enough paediatricians could jeopardise the treatment and care of children."
We've contacted the Scottish Government for comment.