Question reference: S6W-01632
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 20 July 2021
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 August 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how many anaesthetists in training (a) were hired and (b) remained unemployed following the most recent recruitment process, and what measures it is taking to assist anaesthetic trainees who are facing problems in the recruitment process due to technical failures with exams and communication disruptions from numerous sources.
Answer
I would firstly like to thank the fantastic, flexible and supportive response from anaesthetists across the UK in supporting the pandemic surge requirements, particularly in Intensive Care, and as we now move to remobilise the NHS.
From the recruitment that has taken place so far in 2021, there were 67 posts advertised in Core Anaesthetics and 66 in ST3 Anaesthetics. All advertised posts have been filled. There were 5 appointable candidates who were not allocated a Core training post and 15 appointable candidates who were not allocated an ST3 post. This was a result of competitive entry and is similar both to previous years and the ratios seen in several other specialties. It does not automatically mean that these doctors are unemployed. This is because applicants ordinarily apply for multiple training posts and where an applicant is unsuccessful with one application, they may still be able to secure a post in another medical specialty or UK Nation. Unsuccessful applicants are also able to take up employment in alternative medical posts which are crucial to NHS Scotland, such as locum training posts (time which can count towards training), and are not prevented from reapplying for specialty training posts in subsequent recruitment rounds.
Where trainees are experiencing issues regarding their progression, NHS Education for Scotland are working with them and their educational supervisors on an individual basis to address these.
We are unaware of any alleged technical failures with Medical Royal College examinations and would encourage any trainee who feels that they have been disadvantaged to raise this matter formally with the College in question. We are also unaware of any alleged communications disruptions which have impacted on the specialty trainee recruitment process. Trainee recruitment this year has so far been an unprecedented success, with 94% of specialty training posts having been filled and one recruitment round still remaining.