McInnes: Newly qualified doctors deserve our support

3.35.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 22nd May 2008

North East Scotland MSP Alison McInnes today expressed concern at NHS plans to stop the provision of accommodation for newly qualified doctors.

Hospitals are considering ending the standard provision of accommodation to doctors in their first year after qualifying.

Having received numerous letters from constituents, Alison McInnes said: "Junior doctors study for many years, forego salaries until their mid-twenties, and amass amongst the highest levels of undergraduate debt. Society, meanwhile, derives great benefit from their hard work and training.

"As such I believe junior doctors deserve this gesture of support from the public and public funding should be maintained to ensure that newly qualified doctors are housed for their first year of practice.

"Indeed, in the North East of Scotland in particular, there is a shortage of affordable accommodation. The current arrangement ensures that junior Doctors are not deterred from taking up posts here due to fear of not finding a place to live."

She continued: "According to my constituents, this first year accommodation is very basic, but it is a helping hand in the transition from very costly study to paid employment. I have taken this matter up with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and

Wellbeing."