New guidance from the RCP advocates for a more balanced flexible and realistic approach to job planning that will protect patient safety and improve workforce retention.
NHS services are under pressure, and current capacity does not meet demand. Many physicians report being unable to deliver their role within the constraints of their current job plans, and financial pressures and workforce availability limit the staff that can be employed.
It is important to balance the need to maximise ‘productivity’ from current staff (including consultant physicians and specialist doctors) with being realistic about what can be delivered, and ensuring supportive activities for safe and effective care.
Failing to do so risks compromising the delivery of high-quality care and the professional needs and development of individuals and teams, leading to demoralisation, stress, burnout, ill health and further workforce depletion.
This guidance describes the roles that consultant physicians and specialist doctors deliver within the NHS and beyond. It aims to empower consultant physicians, specialist doctors, clinical leaders and service managers to work collaboratively on job planning for physician teams. It lays out the core principles for effective job planning and emphasises how the different elements of a balanced, professional programme of work should be recognised and rewarded.
By using this guidance, conversations about job planning will become more productive and insightful, balancing the professional needs and development of physicians and enabling the provision of safe, effective and efficient patient care.
This will improve outcomes and experience for both patients and staff. Individual medical specialties have their own job planning guidance. This guidance is intended to enhance and complement specialty guidance.
The guidance sets out 10 principles for effective job planning and offers over 40 practical recommendations for clinicians and service leaders. These include:
- a minimum of 2.5 supporting professional activity (SPA) sessions per week in a 10 PA job plan, including 1.5 SPAs for essential CPD, clinical governance and appraisal.
- annualised, team-based workload planning to reflect modern care delivery, with greater flexibility for less than full time doctors.
- formal recognition of time for research, education, clinical leadership and new models of care, such as same day emergency care and virtual clinics.
- job planning that accounts for growing administrative burdens associated with digital systems, ensuring physicians are supported by appropriate infrastructure and staff.
Download the full guidance document below.