An annual survey of newly-qualified medical consultants has revealed the first indications of a workforce bulge, with new medics experiencing a “hostile” jobs market.
More than 440 doctors with a CCT, or certificate of completion of training, responded to the survey by the Royal College of Physicians which covers all 28 medical specialities.
It revealed newly qualified consultants are finding it harder to get a consultant post with an increase in doctors taking on lower paid sub-consultant roles.
Download the full report and survey results from the RCP (see right).
A report on the results by the RCP said: “For the second year in succession, three unemployed CCT-holders were identified.
“Taken together with the increase in the average number of applications made and the falling success rates in being offered substantive consultant posts, this suggests the job market for CCT-holders remains hostile.
“This is almost certainly the result of the increasing number of CCT-holders coming out of the system into a financially restricted NHS.”
It added the number of sub-consultant positions had “increased year on year”, adding: “It seems almost inevitable that such posts will continue to emerge across the UK.”
The survey found several specialities with persistent high rates of unsuccessful applications; endocrinology, gastroenterology, renal medicine and genito-urinary medicine.
It also highlighted many CCT-holders were prioritising location with many willing to accept lower paid jobs with less responsibility to remain near where they trained.
In February the Centre for Workforce Intelligence warned the NHS was training more doctors than it needed with a 60 per cent increase – 2,800 doctors – by 2020. If these doctors all found NHS jobs it would add an extra £2.2bn to the NHS wage bill.
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