Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Doctor Numbers

Tuesday 7 March 2023 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • We have opened five new medical schools to increase the number of doctors.
  • The total number of medical school places increased by 25%.
  • The vacancy rate for doctors has fallen compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Stevenson Con
NHS
Context

The issue revolves around the need to increase the number of doctors in the UK.

Question

What steps is he taking to increase the number of doctors?

Answer from Steve Barclay

We have opened five new medical schools in Sunderland, Lancashire, Chelmsford, Lincoln and Canterbury as part of our wider drive to increase the number of doctors.

Answered
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Q2 John Stevenson Con
Education
Context

Concerns are raised about the reliance on overseas doctors and the importance of less traditional educational institutions in doctor training.

Question

Does he agree that we must train enough of our own doctors, rather than depend on overseas doctors? Secondly, does he agree that it is important that the less traditional educational institutions are allowed to open or expand medical schools?

Answer from Steve Barclay

I agree with my hon. Friend, and that is why we had a 25% increase in the total number of medical school places. On the specific point he raises, we have developed the new apprenticeship route for medical doctors so that we can start to have more training through that route and not just through the undergraduate route.

Answered
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Q3 Valerie Vaz Lab Walsall and Bloxwich
NHS
Context

A doctor in the MP's constituency receives a low salary, highlighting concerns about retaining good doctors.

Question

As well as recruiting doctors, how do we retain doctors? A doctor in my constituency says that at the end of the day he takes home £100 a week. That is less than a decorator. What are the Government doing about retaining good doctors like my constituent?

Answer from Steve Barclay

It is worth pointing out to the House that the vacancy rate for doctors has fallen compared with where it was before the pandemic. That is often not the narrative that is put out there, but the right hon. Lady is right to highlight the importance of retention. It is obviously better to retain a doctor, given the cost and time it takes to recruit, and that is about looking at a combination of pay issues, about which we are talking to trade union colleagues, and non-pay issues, which are often a real factor in the quality of work that doctors are doing and often shapes retention issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or figures regarding retaining good doctors were not provided.

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Q4 Wes Streeting Lab Ilford North
NHS Education
Context

There is concern about the reliance on international students for medical education and the need to double medical school places.

Question

I was at Worcester University's medical school yesterday, where I was told directly by the vice-chancellor that that university can only recruit international students because the Government will not fund places for domestic students. The NHS has asked for medical school places to be doubled. Labour has a plan to double medical school places, paid for by abolishing the non-dom tax status. Why do the Government not swallow their pride and adopt Labour's plan in next week's Budget?

Answer from Steve Barclay

First, as I said a moment ago, we are funding a 25% increase in medical undergraduate places, and we have given a commitment to a workforce plan, as the Chancellor set out in the autumn statement. The question that the shadow Secretary of State should address is his party's opposition to international recruitment. We have more than 45,000 doctors who have been recruited internationally, yet the Leader of the Opposition says he wants to move away from international recruitment, which is an important source of additional doctors.

Not addressed: The specific question about Labour's plan and doubling medical school places was not directly addressed.

How: Shifting Focus To Opposition Stance

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