| Annual
Report 2000-2001 |
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LDA is now four years
old. It is still a child that has to grow much.
Hospital locum doctors and other atypical doctors
are the most problem group in the profession, largely
through the neglect or overlooking of their issues
by the rest of the profession, the NHS and eminent
bodies. LDA has therefore inherited a minefield
of problems. Every area needs address. However we
can only do so much at a time. Below is a summary
of all our achievements to date. The achievements
of the past year are starred and will be detailed
further on. Since we only charge £10 and most members
do not pay us without hassle it is a miracle that
we have achieved what we did. This is due to the
hard work, dedication and the personal sacrifices
of the officers and active members of LDA. All of
them must be thanked for their undying efforts to
reform the working lives of locums.
THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF LDA TO DATE |
| 1. |
Successful recognition
of hospital locums as a distinct group in the profession. |
| 2. |
Awareness of the needs
and problems of hospital locums. |
| 3. |
We have been successfully
speaking up for locums, and standing up to smear
campaigns against locums.* |
| 4. |
The Locums' Charter. |
| 5. |
Induction pack for hospital
locums and the need for induction. |
| 6. |
Awareness of car parking
problems in hospitals and the provision of parking
tokens or permits with key on arrival. |
| 7. |
A CV guidance for locums
and other doctors. |
| 8. |
Cancellation fee from locum agencies.
|
| 9. |
Abolition of the STA
and curtailment of Royal College power in employment
and postgraduate medical education.* |
| 10. |
Revalidation of locums.
The folder is our idea.* |
| 11. |
The coining of the phrase
"LOCUMISM". Creating awareness of this as a violation
of Human Rights Law.* |
| 12. |
We flagged up locums'
problems in the House of Lords. |
| 13. |
Representation of locums
for the very first time on important national bodies. |
| 14. |
We gave evidence to CHI
on an investigation of a locum doctor.* |
| 15. |
We participated in the
SHO modernisation project by the DOH.* |
| 16. |
We were consulted and
fed our views to the GMC on revalidation, racial
equality, GMC reforms, changes to the fitness to
practise procedures.* |
| 17. |
We have assisted several
doctors with inquiries, hospital disputes and complaints.
We have had a number of successful outcomes.* |
| 18. |
An advisory counselling
helpline to support our members. |
| 19. |
A comprehensive newsletter. |
| 20. |
Meeting with the DOH
to resolve revalidation and related issues.* |
| 21. |
A website. * |
| 22. |
Evidence to the Bristol.
Royal Infirmary Inquiry. |
|
(1 hope 1 have not missed anything out)
The bodies we worked with or liaised with or were
involved with last year were:
- GMC
- DOH
- Secretary of State for Health.
- Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- AGMETS and its subgroup. (CMO's committees)
- SHO modernisation steering group.
- CH1
- Medical Womens' Federation.
- Consumer's Council
- BMA's career progress of doctors' committee.
- Locum agencies.
- NHS Trusts individually.
- Patient's groups.
We also have overseas members and receive numerous
requests for info and help from overseas doctors
seeking to work in the UK.
There are still hundreds of issues to tackle.
Superannuation for agency locums, details of revalidation,
CME, study leave, career break re-entry, jobs
for retraining for the SR, private practice rights
for locum consultants, legal support, a code of
practice for locums, agency locum work improvements,
taxation and contractual issues... the list is
infinite.
If we all work together, we will succeed in getting
equal recognition for equal work, which
has become our motto.
My heartfelt thank you to all those who assisted
and supported our work, not to say the least to
all of you in LDA
Shelmaz Somjee
Founder and chairperson
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