Abstract
AIMS AND METHODA postal questionnaire was sent to specialist registrars (SpRs) in the Wessex Region to evaluate senior trainees' reactions to information about the proposed changes in mental health legislation and to ascertain if the information had adversely affected their view of their future careers as consultants.RESULTSA high level of concern about the proposed changes and their potential impact on consultants was revealed. A majority of SpRs took a more negative view of their future career, especially those preparing a single Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training in general adult psychiatry, who were more likely to have adverse perceptions and to have thought of opting out.SERVICE IMPLICATIONSThe legislative proposals have the potential for considerable impact on recruitment and retention of psychiatrists.
Highlights
The legislative proposals have the potential for considerable impact on recruitment and retention of psychiatrists
Public protection is seen as the principal motivation behind the proposed legislation to reform the Mental Health Act (Zigmond, 2001), enshrined in the White Paper Reforming the Mental Health Act (Department of Health, 2000), with the pendulum swinging so far from the individual’s freedom that there are concerns as to whether it will breach the Human Rights Act (Leung, 2001)
Within a week of a well-attended professorial lecture summarising the proposed legislative changes, a postal questionnaire was sent to all 33 specialist registrars (SpRs) on the Wessex Higher Training Scheme preparing a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) in general adult or old age psychiatry
Summary
Within a week of a well-attended professorial lecture summarising the proposed legislative changes, a postal questionnaire was sent to all 33 specialist registrars (SpRs) on the Wessex Higher Training Scheme preparing a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) in general adult or old age psychiatry. Respondents were asked to agree or disagree with 10 items identified as potential areas of concern regarding the legislative proposals. Views on how consultants will be affected by the proposed legislation and altered perceptions of their own future career in the light of the Government’s plans were investigated in 11 further questions.
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