Thousands of junior doctors are to be shipped abroad, The Daily Telegraph said this week as it claimed 'up to 10,000 young doctors unable to find NHS jobs could be offered voluntary work overseas'.
The paper quoted 'official documents' from the Department of Health that it claimed showed NHS managers had drawn up the plans after 'the botched introduction of an online appointments system, which could leave thousands of junior doctors without training places this summer'.
The paper said NHS Employers had made the plans after 'intense criticism' of the online appointments system. Deputy director Sian Thomas said it was 'disappointing that the review of the group's discussions were leaked'.
The Evening Standard also reported that '10,000 junior doctors will be without jobs'. It quoted shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley, who said that it was 'a waste of talent and taxpayers' money'.
Meanwhile, The Observer questioned what will happen during the three days from 1-3 August when junior doctors who have found posts will be moving hospital or retraining. The paper said health secretary Patricia Hewitt has been 'keeping rather quiet' about a briefing document setting out what should happen if anyone falls ill during that period. And it quoted Tory MP Crispin Blunt, who said all care will have to be carried out by consultants.
'There aren't enough to go around, obviously, and many will be on holiday'. At least she's asked for the briefing document, so there might be some preparation going on at the DoH.
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