What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of an increased number of doctors-in-training working less than full time?
The rates of doctors in training working less than full time (LTFT) have increased significantly over last few years. This is a UK-wide issue and strategies to help address this are being discussed across all four nations. Doctors have the right to request this for this for statutory and non-statutory reasons.
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) considers LTFT data and trends in the different specialties as part of its annual commissioning process. The number of training posts at all grades have increased significantly over last few years, with this issue being one of the factors influencing the expansion. Increasing training post numbers alone cannot resolve all the issues associated with the increase in LTFT working patterns, therefore HEIW will continue to work with key stakeholders to consider a system-wide response to this issue.
The current approach to managing and approving LTFT for doctors in training is currently being reviewed. HEIW will share its recommendations in due course, with the aim of implementing any changes in 2023.