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North medic speaks out as quarter of junior doctors going hungry on shift

Bethany Sim has spoken about her experience as a junior doctor. Image: MDDUS/ Shutterstock
Bethany Sim has spoken about her experience as a junior doctor. Image: MDDUS/ Shutterstock

A north doctor has warned patients are being put at risk, with one-quarter of medics revealing they’re often going hungry on shift.

It’s claimed struggles to find anything nutritious in hospitals are leaving staff reliant on crisps and chocolate.

A major medical organisation is now calling on health chiefs across the country to make urgent changes.

Access to good food ‘the bare minimum’ expected

The Medical and Dental Defence Union Scotland (MDDUS) says nearly four-in-five junior doctors have reported feeling burnt out at work.

More than 40% of the respondents to their survey said a lack of access to good food was a contributing factor.

Two-thirds fear situations, where staff are hungry and tired, could be putting patients at risk.

Aberdeen doctor Bethany Sim, who works in Lochaber, says it’s “quite normal” not to get a proper break because of the number of patients coming through the hospital doors.

Dr Sim often relies on vending machines for food. Image: Shutterstock / Ground Picture
Dr Sim often relies on vending machines for food. Image: Shutterstock / Ground Picture

The 24-year-old added: “I end up eating from a vending machine if I’ve not brought anything in with me.

“Some people will say doctors should prepare food to take to work.

“Well, when I’m on a run of 12-hour night shifts I feel I’m doing well just to squeeze a shower into my free time once I’ve factored in sleep, never mind prepare food at home.

“Being able to get something decent to eat at work just feels like the bare minimum we should expect on the job.”

‘I’ve been so hungry, I couldn’t look after patients safely’

Dr Sims says her hospital provides good rest facilities for doctors, but is hopeful for more.

And she can recall situations where she’s had to stop what she’s doing to go in search of food for the good of her patients.

“There have been times when it’s busy that I have had to say that I simply cannot see another patient until I have had something to eat,” she said.

“And that’s been because I have been so hungry, I don’t feel I can look after them safely until I’ve eaten.

“Although I work in A&E and there can be an issue with waiting times, I have to protect my time so I can eat – even if all that’s available is a quick snack of crisps and chocolate.”

How do other doctors feel?

The MDDUS represents more than 56,000 health professionals across the UK.

It used polling firm Survation to question 850 on their attitudes towards work.

And of the junior doctors surveyed:

  • 52% have felt fatigued due to a lack of nutritious food
  • 29% don’t have a safe, comfortable place to rest during breaks
  • 54% of Scottish respondents wouldn’t recommend their job to school leavers

‘Urgent’ change needed

The organisation’s chief executive, Chris Kenny, is now calling for “urgent and sustainable” change.

He’s written to Scotland’s chief medical officer Professor Sir Gregor Smith, and his other UK counterparts, to see what can be done.

John Holden wants changes to stop junior doctors feeling they have to go hungry at work. Image: MDDUS
John Holden wants changes to stop junior doctors feeling they have to go hungry at work. Image: MDDUS

Some health boards already have systems in place. For example, at Belford Hospital in Fort William, staff can pre-order lunch and dinner.

NHS Highland is currently building a cost-effective and carbon-neutral system to provide nutritious meals 24 hours a day.

A spokesman said: “We listen to feedback and take the welfare of our junior doctors and all staff very seriously and will look at our systems to ensure they are robust enough to deliver for staff.”

John Holden, chief medical officer at MDDUS, said: “Junior doctors already carry a heavy mental load due to working long hours in stressful environments – they shouldn’t have to worry about when they are going to have their next meal.

“Nutritious food and a safe place to rest are basic requirements which enable doctors to deliver safe patient care.

“Doctors work round-the-clock delivering a 24-hour healthcare service. The provision of food must reflect that and go beyond 9-5 office hours.”

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