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NEWS: Zosia Kmietowicz Independent centres threaten training BMJ 2005; 331: 797-b [Full text]

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Solutions for the threat to training from ISTC

Mr K N R Srikanth, BT 47 6SB   (9 October 2005)

Solutions for the threat to training from ISTC 9 October 2005
Mr K N R Srikanth, LAT Registrar,Orthopaedics Altnagelvin Area Hospital,LondonDerry, BT 47 6SB Send response to journal: Re: Solutions for the threat to training from ISTC	Dear Sir/Madam, I completely agree with Dr Zosia Kmietowicz,about the effect the ISTC are going to have on Junior doctor training in this country.Already there are many factors adversly affecting surgical training like EWTD,proposed reduction in training hours under MMC,increasing use of Surgical care practioners in theaters relegating a SHO to a third assistant role.Soon a time may come when SHO are forced to watch operations from Balcony's as in the old style theatres of our student days! Its vital for the authorities be to enforce ISTC to train Junior doctors,which in a way will monitor their operating standards as the SpR works in NHS as well,thus making comparision and quality control easier. Also on our part as trainees we should maximise available training oppurtunities by being proactive,reading before the operation and hard work.Where there is a will there is a way,how ever bleak the future looks! Competing interests: None declared