Over a fifth of trainee doctors hesitant to escalate patient care – GMC 

More than one in five trainee doctors have hesitated to escalate patient care, according to the latest General Medical Council (GMC) survey. 

The survey asked about escalation of care, with 79% of trainees saying they never felt apprehensive, but 21% had hesitated at least once in the past year. 

In areas like surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, medicine, and emergency medicine, the figure was closer to a third. 

Trainees who held back on escalation were also more likely to report burnout.

The findings have come as the Government’s 10-year health plan for NHS England aims to change how health services are delivered. 

Pushpinder Mangat, medical director and director of education and standards at the GMC, said: “These findings are extremely concerning because doctors need to work in environments where they feel comfortable escalating. 

“When they don’t, there are potentially serious risks to patient safety.

“The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan rightly recognises that a modern health service must empower its workforce and foster a culture of openness and safety.”