Shropshire Star

NHS to see ‘biggest ever’ expansion as extra doctor training places confirmed

An extra 1,500 doctors a year will be trained in the NHS by 2020 – boosting the current number of 6,000 by 25%.

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A doctor on a hospital ward

The NHS is set to see the “biggest ever” expansion to the NHS medical workforce in England after health officials confirmed plans to increase training positions.

Following a consultation, the Department of Health has confirmed that an extra 1,500 doctors a year will be trained in the NHS by 2020 – boosting the current number of 6,000 by 25%.

Meanwhile, health minister Philip Dunne confirmed plans to fund 10,000 additional training places for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals.

Jeremy Hunt
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt had announced an increase in the medical training programme last year (PA)

Plans to increase the medical training programme were announced by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt last October.

He has previously said that expanding the medical workforce will help ensure the health service is equipped to care for a growing and ageing population.

The move will also increase the number of “home-grown” doctors and reduce the amount spent on expensive agency and locum doctors.

Doctors from the British Medical Association (BMA) said the move was reassuring but it also warned of an immediate shortage of doctors in the NHS.

The union also called for more clarity regarding a “minimum service” for doctors trained within the NHS – another of Mr Hunt’s proposals.

The Department of Health said the Government will “continue to consider return on taxpayer investment”.

A spokeswoman said the extra places will be targeted at under-represented social groups such as lower income students. It is hoped that the additional places will also help to address shortages of medics in coastal and rural locations as well as fill gaps in the fields of psychiatry and general practice.

Mr Dunne said: “We are committed to giving more talented students the chance to be part of our world-class NHS workforce.

Health minister Philip Dunne
Philip Dunne said 10,000 additional training places for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals would also be funded (PA)

“Not only is this the biggest ever expansion to the number of doctor training places, but it’s also one of the most inclusive; ensuring everyone has the chance to study medicine regardless of their background, and ensuring the NHS is equipped for the future with doctors serving in the areas that need them the most.”

BMA medical students committee co-chairman Harrison Carter said: “The students who will benefit from these new placements will take at least 10 years to train and become senior doctors so we mustn’t forget this promise won’t tackle the immediate shortage of doctors in the NHS which could become more acute following Brexit.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Health confirmed that the Government will fund 10,000 additional training places for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals – with some of the places available to students as soon as next month.

The Department of Health said 45,000 students have applied for 23,000 nurse training places this year and historically thousands have been rejected despite having the required grades.

But Royal College of Nursing chief executive and general secretary Janet Davies said: “Any investment in training placements for nursing students is welcome news but it will do little to solve current nursing shortages.

“The health and care system desperately needs proper workforce planning. It’s unclear where extra nursing students will come from, when the removal of student funding is putting many people off entering the profession.”

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