Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 January 2018
The Government's proposals in the White Paper have given rise to exceptional controversy and concern not only among professional groups working in the NHS but also among the general public. It is therefore not surprising that the medical profession has somewhat lost sight of the significance of the radical proposals in the report issued in October 1987. The report Hospital Medical Staff: Achieving a Balance ‘Plan for Action’ (1988) was issued on behalf of the UK Health Departments, the Joint Consultants Committee and the Chairmen of the Regional Health Authorities. The report, after a careful review of the alternatives, formulated proposals for an integrated package of measures to achieve gradual reform of hospital staffing structures in the interests of patients and doctors alike. The results of deliberations identified three principal areas:
(1) an increase in the number of consultants to provide leadership and career opportunities
(2) sensible planning of the number of doctors in career training grades, taking account of career prospects
(3) maintenance of necessary levels of support for consultants particularly in the acute specialities.
eLetters
No eLetters have been published for this article.