Friday 20 May 2022 12:07 PM NHS doctors urge bosses to let them WFH! trends now
NHS doctors want to be able to work from home, even though the worst of Covid has blown over.
Hospital consultants who were forced to shield during the pandemic say it proved they can safely care for patients on wards through a 'computer on wheels'.
The British Medical Association has now urged ministers to assess the benefits of a hybrid-working model because it was 'hugely beneficial' for doctors with a disability or long-term condition.
The union said: 'The ability of some doctors to work remotely at certain times in the pandemic should be acknowledged.'
However, a fifth of its members identified remote working as one of their top three solutions to 'address the long-term impact of the pandemic on the workforce'.
The BMA said: 'If working conditions could be improved for doctors, including disabled doctors or those with caring responsibilities, it should be considered.'
Its call stemmed from its review into how Boris Johnson's Government handled the pandemic.
While finding it 'failed to protect, promote, and support' the medical profession, the BMA cited increased remote working as 'positive' of the pandemic.
One medic, who commented in the BMA review, said being able to be ferried around virtually on wards 'worked well for shielding consultants'.
The same member added: 'The use of remote working had also helped to stem burn out hugely, especially for parents.'
The BMA's request to consider flexible working comes amid No10's crackdown on WFH, with ministers trying to kickstart the commuter economy to boost productivity and revive the nation's town and city centres.
A fifth of doctors say working from home is one of their top solutions to boosting the number of medics in Britain
Another GP in the BMA's new review said remote consultations showed what could be achieved without having to see patients face-to-face.
'Remote consultation really helped to show how much can be achieved without face-to-face appointment,' they said.
'Contrary to the Government and media, this system was very effective way to triage and so option for the triaging clinician to work from home.'
This is despite thousands of patients complaining about how they've struggled to see their
