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Original papers: Rhiannon Callaghan, Gabra Hanna, Nick Brown, and Christopher Vassilas On call: a valuable training experience for senior house officers? Psychiatr Bull 2005; 29: 59-61 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Recent changes to SHO on call duties

Oliver G White   (28 April 2005)

Recent changes to SHO on call duties 28 April 2005
Oliver G White, SHO in Psychiatry Send letter to journal: Re: Recent changes to SHO on call duties mcxogw{at}nottingham.ac.uk Oliver G White	Dear Editor, In their recent paper Callaghan et al (Psychiatric Bulletin, February 2005) showed that in general senior house officers (SHOs) in psychiatry valued on-call periods as a learning experience. However, the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) regulations regarding hours worked and rest requirements are now well and truly upon us and this has caused concern regarding the training of SHOs in other specialties (Mayor, 2005). In Nottingham, SHOs in psychiatry previously worked a high intensity shift pattern that was non-compliant regarding EWTD regulations. Measures implemented to ensure compliance included the appointment of psychiatric nurses to work specifically at night as the first point of call for anyone referring to the psychiatric SHO. Initially SHOs were involved with the majority of the assessments but over time the nursing team’s experience has increased and they are now proficient in managing almost all of the referrals independently. As a consequence, SHOs are now finding that their participation in acute decision-making, risk assessment and devising management plans has reduced significantly. The implementation of specialist nurses into the role traditionally fulfilled by SHOs should not act as a barrier to training. Additional measures need to be introduced to ensure SHOs remain exposed to acute psychiatric cases. Possibilities include nursing teams providing a direct training role and a more comprehensive trainee’s logbook where emergency cases seen are recorded. This would also be a step towards workplace- placed assessment for doctors in training which is emphasised in Modernising Medical Careers (DoH, 2002). Yours faithfully, Dr Oliver White SHO in psychiatry Queen’s Medical Centre Nottingham. REFERENCES: Callaghan, R., Hanna, G., Brown, N. & Vassilas, C. (2005) On call: a valuable training experience for senior house officers? Psychiatric Bulletin 29, 59-61. Department of Health (2002) Unfinished business proposals for Reform of Senior House Officer Grade. A Paper for Consultation. London: Department of Health Mayor, S. (2005) UK surgeons report that EU directive has cut training time BMJ, 330, 499.