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Doctor Shortage Affects Women And Babies' Health

by Medindia Content Team on Feb 3 2006 6:52 PM

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has said that there is a severe shortage of specialist doctors and this is putting women and babies' health in jeopardy. The report also called for 1,000 consultants to be appointed so that this shortage can be overcome.

The report said that the problem was that O&G was becoming unpopular because doctors were not sure if their careers would progress when they opted for this specialty. The college said that mentors should work towards making this profession more attractive and recruitment targets for medical schools must be met. "The future of obstetrics and gynaecology and women's health care in this country depends on a reversal and focused response to this stark reality," said Professor Allan Templeton, the college president. He said that negative perceptions about this field were scaring away doctors from taking it up. Currently, there are 1,500 consultants with 2 percent vacancies and the repot said that the UK should ideally have 2,500 consultants. Reacting to the report Mary Newburn, head of policy research at the National Childbirth Trust, said, "This report illustrates the pressing need to recruit more UK-trained doctors into obstetrics and gynaecology. The NCT wants all women to have safe, supportive and accessible maternity care. Specialist medical care is vital for women with more complex pregnancies and for those who develop complications or need a medical opinion during pregnancy or labour."


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