Obstetrics trainees highlight training impact of EWTD

Some 90% of obstetrics trainees had to cover rota gaps during the day because posts were unfilled, according to a survey conducted by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). Although most trainees worked the standard eight hour shift, 20% said that they have worked on shifts that lasted between 13 and 24 hours in a day. Ten per cent of trainees mentioned doing seven continuous nights of shift work

Nearly half (49%) of the trainees said that trusts expected them to cover rota gaps during evenings and weekends; 36% were expected by their trusts to cover rota gaps at night. And 16% of respondents mentioned that their rotas did not comply with EWTD because they were working more than 48 hours per week on average. The main reason for non-compliance in most cases (90%) was staff shortages.

Nearly a third (30%) of trainees felt that there had been an overall decrease in training sessions, although half (50%) were unsure. Of those surveyed, 74% of trainees returned to work voluntarily on their days off to take advantage of training opportunities they were missing.

Some trainees, however, said that, because of the EWTD, supervision by senior staff has improved. Another positive knock-on effect was a greater consultant presence in the labour ward.

“The picture isn’t all bad,” said Dr Jayanta Chatterjee, chair of the RCOG Trainees’ Committee.

“Many trainees noted that their labour ward experience and supervision on labour ward was ‘good’ or ‘very good.’”

The survey would enable the college to focus on weak areas in specialty training, said Dr Maggie Blott, RCOG vice president (education). “It has raised issues which we are particularly concerned about, such as the knowledge gaps and the lack of opportunities to train,” she said. “We must strike a balance between what trainees can achieve within the confines of a normal working day with the demands of work.”