Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Welfare of Doctors

21 January 2025 · 7 other contributors · 3,880 words

Opened by Peter Prinsley Lab Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket

Responding minister: Karin Smyth

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Peter Prinsley raised concerns about welfare of doctors in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Doctors in the NHS face high levels of burnout, fatigue, and stress due to long working hours and inadequate support.
  • Fewer than 10% of UK trusts provide hot food after midnight for night workers, indicating poor support for shift workers.
  • The government is urged to improve employment security, working conditions, and support facilities for doctors to encourage more people to enter and stay in the medical profession.

Key requests to Government

The government should address the welfare issues faced by doctors to encourage more people to enter and stay in the medical profession, offering better employment security, improved working conditions, and support facilities such as rest areas and affordable housing near work locations.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Peter Prinsley Lab Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket

Doctors in the NHS are facing a crisis with high levels of burnout, fatigue, and stress. Young doctors graduate with substantial debts and face immediate challenges such as finding employment far from home, working long hours without adequate support or rest facilities, and dealing with inflexible work schedules that affect personal relationships. The British Medical Association reports that fewer than 10% of UK trusts offer hot food after midnight, indicating a lack of essential support for night workers.

Other contributors (7)
  • Alison Bennett LD Mid Sussex

    Silverdale practice in Burgess Hill had a problem with sewers being blocked up, resulting in contaminated water coming up into the surgery and car park. It has taken weeks to get support from the NHS.

  • Ayoub Khan Ind Birmingham Perry Barr

    The Al-Shafa medical centre in his constituency has more than 6,000 patients. He agrees that when such GP practices have the additional burden of paying increased national insurance, there need to be more methods or redirection of income so they can sustain their work.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Highlighting the high indemnity costs paid by GPs in Northern Ireland compared to those in other regions, Jim Shannon urged support for finding a long-term solution to ease financial pressures on doctors.

  • John Milne LD Horsham

    Drawing from his recent meeting with a GP in his constituency who experienced extreme fatigue after back-to-back patient visits, John Milne agreed that current expectations place undue strain on medical staff and their dedication.

  • Robin Swann UUP South Antrim

    He highlights that the practitioner health service is not currently available in Northern Ireland, encouraging the Government to work with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure all health professionals receive the same standard of care.

  • Sarah Dyke LD Glastonbury and Somerton

    Langport surgery in her constituency is struggling to attract staff due to limited budgets, limiting its ability to offer attractive terms and conditions.

  • Warinder Juss Lab Wolverhampton West

    Agreeing with Peter Prinsley’s concerns about the welfare of young doctors entering the profession, Warinder Juss emphasized the importance of addressing these issues to encourage more individuals to join the medical field.

Government Response

Karin Smyth

The Minister for Secondary Care

My hon. Friend highlights the challenges resident doctors face as they progress through postgraduate training and stresses the importance of mental health support, mentorship programs, simplified contracts, early information about pay, rotas, timetables, hot food at night, places to rest, exam fees covered, parking at hospitals, and a GP for every doctor. The Minister acknowledges the welfare challenges in the NHS but expresses commitment to supporting doctors' development and addressing staff engagement issues. We brought an end to the industrial action by resident doctors... build a robust and resilient NHS. I look forward to working with NHS England.

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