Wards closed by doctors' shortage

Neonatal services at Singleton remain unaffected

A doctors' recruitment crisis has led to two children's wards closing at Singleton Hospital in Swansea.

The UK shortage of experienced middle-grade paediatric doctors means in-patient paediatrics are moving to Morriston Hospital.

From August, only 10 doctors will be available for on-call rotas at both hospitals instead of the full complement of 18.

Medical staff say that is an insufficient number for a safe service.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Univerity NHS Trust claims the shortage is in part linked to changes in the way UK doctors are trained and the number of hours which they can legally work.

The European Working Time Directive limiting junior doctors hours to 48 a week comes into force in August.

The trust also suggests that changes to the rules covering overseas doctors coming to the UK have reduced their numbers.

A Welsh Assembly Government spokesman said: "Changes in immigration rules have caused problems with recruitment across the UK and we're working with trusts to address these issues."

Health Minister Edwina Hart has written to the Home Office to ask for a review of the rules in relation to doctors and assembly government officials have met the UK Border Agency to clarify the rules.

A recruitment DVD is being given to all final year medical students in Wales, trainees on foundations programmes in Wales and students who express a wish to work as a doctor in Wales.

A Junior Doctor Review Group has been established to review recruitment, training schemes, rotas and working conditions to promote a positive image of working as a junior doctor in Wales.

Last year this doctors' shortage led to GPs taking over the running of Singleton Hospital's minor injuries unit.

The trust says that transition has been very successful, but it was the chronic shortage of middle-grade hospital doctors which was behind the urgent need to change.

The latest changes will not have an impact on neonatal services at Singleton Hospital.