NHS struggling to offer 24/7 service as young medics ‘refuse to work nights and weekends’
An NHS chief has said it was a hard task to meet the 'expectations' of the younger generation, which has begun a rift between new and old staff, who are said to have a better work ethic
THE NHS is struggling to offer a 24/7 service as “snowflake” young medics refuse to work nights and weekends.
Health bosses also warn job security, regular training and a good pension are not enough to attract recruits.
A shortage of trainees means managers have to cave in to demands for flexible working and sky-high overtime rates or face losing them.
The situation is so bad that it has caused a rift between younger staff and their more experienced colleagues, who are said to have a better work ethic.
NHS figures show there were 107,743 vacancies in England at the end of June, up from 98,475 in March.
A trust chief, who asked to remain anonymous, said it was a “hard act” to meet the younger generation’s expectations.
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They added: “What we are seeing is massive intergenerational issues with our workforce as it changes.
“People are wanting huge amounts more in terms of flexibility, variety, options, and they think much more in terms of short-term careers — five-year rather than 20-year horizons.”
Another trust boss added: “We don’t have the luxury of saying it’s 24/7 work or you haven’t got a job, because they’ll go somewhere else.”
The King’s Fund health think tank has previously warned nursing shortages risk becoming a national emergency.
Dr Hannah Barnham-Brown, from the British Medical Association's junior doctor committee, said: "These inflammatory comments are intended to drive a wedge between junior doctors and our colleagues when, in fact, we’re speaking with one voice against the insufficient funding, chronic understaffing and underinvestment in our country’s health.
"Doctors are telling us they need to take a break from their training to manage their own health and wellbeing and that there isn’t enough staff to care for patients adequately.
"It’s the failure to respect the workforce and its needs that has led to the staffing crisis we have."
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