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Highlights
I have read with interest Peter Kennedy’s editorial on the issue of locum consultant psychiatrists (Psychiatric Bulletin, August 2003, 27, 281^282)
A pathological reliance on a locum consultant workforce on part of a NHS trust may be viewed as an indicator of deep-rooted problems, rather than the single most important issue in itself
In discussions about our recent research in advance directives in mental health a number of people indicated that they would put in an advance directive refusal of certain medication because they were ‘allergic’ to it
Summary
I have read with interest Peter Kennedy’s editorial on the issue of locum consultant psychiatrists (Psychiatric Bulletin, August 2003, 27, 281^282). By the time trainees are near their completion date for award of the Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training, they usually have a good idea about strengths and weaknesses of potential prospective employers in the region. It does not come as a surprise when some trusts fail to attract and appoint new substantive consultants. Even popular employers often fail to attract a substantive workforce for their known ‘problematic’ posts This is the work-culture where a market for locums thrives. Senior managers should rather concentrate on better service and workforce planning to improve the working lives of their staff. Any proposals to force the existing workforce to cover the workload of unfilled vacancies may cause more damage
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