Briefing

The NHS assumes its consultants will retire aged 65, but a recent report suggests that only a minority may in fact do so. A survey of all consultants in a single trust in Employing medical and dental staff reported that half intended to retire before the maximum age. The Department of Health bases its workforce predictions on overall “wastage rates” from census data and estimates that the consultant workforce shrinks at about 6%each year. Although it is unwise to extrapolate too much from a single small trust with onerous rotas and little middle grade cover, the survey makes it easy to see how localised workforce problems can easily become acute. Employing medical and dental staff. Chamberlain Dunn Associates, 0181 334 4500 or from mail{at}chamberdunn.co.uk