National workforce survey - whole time equivalent substantive GUM/HIV consultants in the UK

Introduction

In recent years, staff shortages have created strain upon sexual health and HIV services in the UK. It is perceived that uncertainty in the longevity of the specialty and commissioning of training has made working in sexual health less attractive to a medical workforce. In 2021, less than 26% of training posts advertised were filled¹. Shortages are impacting the provision of services being delivered. Data was obtained and triangulated from the RCP survey, training programme directors (TPDs) and BASHH GCG representatives. All are incomplete and may not include non-NHS providers of sexual health care.

Methods

The data was verified with the BASHH GCG representative. Absent data resulted in clinics being contacted by telephone. Data was recorded for the following criteria and stratified by region. Substantive GUM/HIV consultants Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) substantive GUM/HIV consultants Locum GUM/HIV consultants (where not maternity cover) WTE locum GUM/HIV consultants posts (where not maternity cover) Unfilled posts

Results

This shows the current results WTE substantive GUM/HIV Consultants per region. We continue to collect further data, and will report on missing data, total vacant consultant WTEs and rates of consultants to population and STI rates.

Discussion

Sexual health services have been commissioned by local Authorities since 2012², reductions in budget across the sector has contributed to fragmented delivery of services and pressure on workforce. Reduced applications to specialty training¹ has also resulted in concerns in delivering specialist care in the future. Previously, no clear data existed regarding the total number of WTE in the specialty. This work describes the current WTE workforce capacity in the Consultant workforce in GUM specialty. We look to complete further workforce analysis regarding other HCPs, and the numbers of clinicians required to provide a comprehensive and safe service.

References

https://medical.hee.nhs.uk/medical-training-recruitment/medical-specialty-training/fill-rates/2022-recruitment-england-fill-rates-round-1-and-round-2 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/commissioning-regional-and-local-sexual-health-services