title: Attitudes of consultant anaesthetists to the Calman proposals: a questionnaire survey.
abstract: We undertook a postal survey to determine the views of all consultant anaesthetists within the North West (Mersey) Regional Health Authority on the Calman proposals for a consultant-based service; replies were received from 110 (84%). Fifty (45%) indicated that they would not resume emergency residential duties, 32 (29%) indicated that they would withdraw from the emergency duty rota, 12 (11%) said they would withdraw/retire from the NHS and 27 (25%) would change hospital under these circumstances. Most consultants had experience in the major anaesthetic sub-specialties within the preceding 5 years (obstetrics 67%, ITU 81%, major trauma 91%). Consequently the need for retraining amongst consultant anaesthetists prior to resuming residential emergency duties would be low. When questioned about the impact on anaesthetic services, 67 (61%) felt the proposals would be detrimental whilst 23 (21%) felt there would be beneficial effects. Most consultants remain antagonistic toward the Calman proposals, with a reluctance to return to residential duties.
authors.affiliation: Whiston Hospital, Prescot, Merseyside.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Dempsey
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skinner
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003253:Consultants / Q000523:psychology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D008511:Medicine; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D013038:Specialization; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom; D000078329:Workforce