The BMA has welcomed the arrival of the first tranche of training jobs for resident doctors following this year’s deal with Government, while warning that much more needs to be done.
More than 350 new jobs, which opened for application today, are the first in a promised 4,500 that resulted from the deal that ended resident doctors’ industrial action this summer. They are aimed at addressing the bottlenecks that are leaving doctors facing under and unemployment, with around four doctors currently applying for every available post.
The rest of the 1,000 jobs due for delivery by the end of 2027 are expected to be open for application in October. The remaining 3,500 are due to be in place by 2029.
While more jobs are being delivered, and sooner, than the 250 originally agreed, there is still more to do, doctors cautioned.
Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA resident doctors committee (UKRDC), said:
“We remain in the foothills of a very tall mountain. This year A&E patients have had the indignity of being treated in corridors while thirteen doctors were turned away from every emergency medicine training post in England.
“However, we do recognise that progress has been made faster than anticipated and that the Government is finally pushing in the right direction. We should never have had to go on strike to bring in these new jobs, but now they are on their way we will try to work together to help deliver a stronger NHS workforce for our patients.
“Part of that will mean going further and faster, creating new jobs up and down the career ladder, not just at one particular rung. That kind of siloed workforce planning over the last few years is how we ended up here in the first place and these jobs must not simply mean another bottleneck occurs further down the line. The Government will need to work with the BMA to create more senior roles to match these new jobs so doctors' careers can progress. To secure the highly trained consultants, GPs and specialists of the future, we need to make sure the roles are there all the way along the resident doctor training path.”
Notes to editors
For more information on the specialty training posts, please contact NHS England.
The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.