No such thing as non-training doctor, RCP report says

Stock photo. iStock.com/SolStock

By Kaye McIntosh

There is no such thing as a “non-training doctor”, the Royal College of Physicians has insisted, calling on employers to improve pay and support for locally employed and international doctors.

New college guidance on education and support for locally employed doctors (LEDs) and international medical graduates (IMGs) says “all doctors are in training”.

Employers should “clearly identify the level and responsibility of an LED role with a salary that reflects the duties and responsibilities and is in line with national terms and conditions for the equivalent career grade of a doctor in a national training programme”, the report recommends.

LEDs are “a rapidly growing group of NHS professionals” – almost one quarter of the total doctor workforce on the General Medical Council (GMC) register. Yet “they lack standardised educational support and career development”, the report says.

IMGs new to the NHS also need extra support, and protection from bullying or harassment, the authors add.