BMA calls for more support for consultants

The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for more backing to be given to NHS consultants following a survey of doctors.

It was found that 17% of consultants work more than 55 hours a week, while 52% are frustrated that they cannot innovate on the job to improve patient care.

This follows the release of research by the BMA into increases in tuition fees, which the body stated will mean future medical students could rack up debts of £37,000 at university.

According to the Chairman of the BMA's Consultants' Committee, Dr Jonathan Fielden, the right backing could help doctors improve the level of patient care they give.

'The majority of senior doctors still lack very basic support, such as the right kind of IT or secretarial backing, which would release their talents and help them be even more effective for patients,' he stated.