Juniors doctors told to do operations they are not trained for: survey Another, training in dermatology, was responsible for out of hours duties in the stroke and spinal units of a hospital. The unnamed doctor said: "These are both highly specialised and not at all relevant to (my) job at the time. Only one morning's training given. Another said they were dealing with 'very complex patients undergoing procedures' with 'very limited clinical experience and no senior support'. Mortality rates rise by ten per cent at weekends, studies have shown, when fewer senior staff are on site. The death rate also rises by around six per cent on the first Wednesday of August when junior doctors start their new jobs. Dr Tom Dolphin, chairman of the BMA's Junior Doctor Committee said: "The study highlights concerns about the level of supervision and training received by some doctors. Junior doctors are highly skilled and capable of working independently within the limits of their competencies, but they should never be placed in a situation where they are unable to access support or be asked to undertake tasks far beyond their capabilities. We are concerned that in the current economic environment the time consultants can dedicate to training is being squeezed. We must ensure that trainers are given the time to train and supervise. We cannot afford to be complacent about the quality of training and supervision as it will have direct impact on the quality of healthcare that can be delivered to patients in the future. The doctors reported that there was often no support or inadequate support from senior colleagues, they were required to make clinical decisions that should have been made by absent senior doctors and they were asked to undertake clinical procedures for which they had little or no training or experience of. Junior doctors transferring from medical school into their first job will be required to shadow senior staff during their first week to end the so-called 'killing season', the Department of Health have said. But the BMA study shows that junior doctors are relied on to deliver complex patients care well beyond their first week. Workforce projections indicate that if all doctors currently in training reach consultant level there will be 60 per cent more senior doctors working in the NHS. It has been argued they should be used to provide more hands on patient care, especially at night and at weekends, instead of relying on large numbers of inexperienced doctors. Patient care would improve and mortality rates would fall, experts have said, and savings would be made because of more efficient diagnosis and treatment. Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, said it was shocking and appalling that junior staff were put in such position. This is alarming and frightening. Junior staff should have the right training and the proper support to be confident in what they are doing. To have junior doctors making clinical decisions about complex cases compromises the safety of the patient and makes a mockery of the hypocratic oath. Health Minister Simon Burns said it was up to hospital trusts to ensure the right staff are on duty and that juniors have proper supervision. He said: "Doctors in training should always have appropriate supervision and should not be undertaking tasks for which they are not yet competent. We have already set out the benefits of more senior staff and consultants working at weekends - not only will this mean better and more consistent care for patients, it will also mean better support for junior doctors. We are currently talking to the professional associations to look at how we can help this to happen across the NHS. We have asked Medical Education England to look at how clinical supervision can be strengthened as part of the 'Better Training, Better Care' programme.