MoD Information

Armed Forces Medical Staff Shortage

Fri, January 10, 2003

Source: Ananova News

A chronic shortage of armed forces doctors could leave troops without adequate healthcare in any war with Iraq

 

A chronic shortage of armed forces doctors could leave troops without adequate healthcare in any war with Iraq, the British Medical Association has warned. The most up-to-date figures, which were published in July last year, show the armed forces had 195 of the 416 GPs needed, with just a further 96 GP volunteer reservists.

John Ferguson, BMA armed forces committee chairman, warns that the shortage of GP regulars in the Defence Medical Services could have serious consequences, because they are based at the front line during battles and need regular military training.

He told the British Medical Association paper BMA News: "The fact the army has less than half the number of GPs it needs means there is going to be a crisis near the front line.

"You can't plug the gaps with civilian GPs. There's no way you can give GPs guns and send them to the front without full training."

Official figures also show shortages in other critical specialities within the DMS. There are just 23 of the 120 anaesthetists required, 11 out of 28 orthopaedic surgeons and 18 out of 43 general surgeons needed.

Dr Ferguson warned the Government that NHS performance targets would feel the brunt of the call up of medical reservists needed to plug shortages in the DMS.

BMA Council chairman Dr Ian Bogle said: "In a state of war there are serious consequences not only for those involved but also for those at home.

"This is compounded by the shortage of doctors in the armed forces and the NHS."

This week Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon told the Commons he was confident there was an appropriate balance between the needs of armed forces and the NHS when it came to the call up of reservists., the British Medical Association has warned.

The most up-to-date figures, which were published in July last year, show the armed forces had 195 of the 416 GPs needed, with just a further 96 GP volunteer reservists.

John Ferguson, BMA armed forces committee chairman, warns that the shortage of GP regulars in the Defence Medical Services could have serious consequences, because they are based at the front line during battles and need regular military training.

He told the British Medical Association paper BMA News: "The fact the army has less than half the number of GPs it needs means there is going to be a crisis near the front line.

"You can't plug the gaps with civilian GPs. There's no way you can give GPs guns and send them to the front without full training."

Official figures also show shortages in other critical specialities within the DMS. There are just 23 of the 120 anaesthetists required, 11 out of 28 orthopaedic surgeons and 18 out of 43 general surgeons needed.

Dr Ferguson warned the Government that NHS performance targets would feel the brunt of the call up of medical reservists needed to plug shortages in the DMS.

BMA Council chairman Dr Ian Bogle said: "In a state of war there are serious consequences not only for those involved but also for those at home.

"This is compounded by the shortage of doctors in the armed forces and the NHS."

This week Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon told the Commons he was confident there was an appropriate balance between the needs of armed forces and the NHS when it came to the call up of reservists.