URGENT: PLEASE FILL IN RENAL TRAINEE WORKFORCE CENSUS NOW

Dear Trainee

You will hopefully be aware of the recent JSC Workforce Planning document. The aim of the Working Group is to review and predict the number of specialist nephrologists (currently consultants) the UK is likely to need in the next 5-10 years and working backwards, to review the number of trainees needed to supply the expected expansion and to fill posts vacated by retirements and changing job plans etc.

The Report does predict an excess of CCT holders over consultant vacancies in the next 5-7 years, but many of the assumptions used in the model are estimates that may be incorrect. In order to refine our model we need much more accurate data about job plans and career intentions of current consultants (which we hope to obtain from the RCP Consultant Census) and equally (possibly more) importantly of current trainees and their future aspirations and working patterns. This Census should provide valuable information as long as it is completed by a high proportion of trainees.

We are aware that some trainees believe that the JSC Workforce Group is supporting or even proposing the creation of a "subconsultant" grade. This is not so but if the projections are correct and there is a significant excess of CCT holders without consultant jobs to go to, hospital trusts, many of whom are planning to appoint NCG doctors to cope with service (and EWTD), are likely to attract unemployed CCT holders over non-CCT doctors. At some stage the number of trainees will need to be reduced, the issue is when?

Thank you for completing this census. It is ESSENTIAL that we have accurate data to produce reliable models of the future workforce and this will help you and future trainees.

It won't take long-the median time to complete is 4-5min.

Click on the Link or paste it into your browser and thank you in anticipation!

http://forms.rcplondon.ac.uk/formserver/nephrologycensus

Peter Mathieson - President, Renal Association
John Feehally - Chair, JSC for Renal Medicine
Phil Mason - Chair, Workforce Subgroup, JSC