NHS at Risk of Losing Doctors Amid Retention Concerns

Strategic Insights -

The General Medical Council (GMC) has warned that the UK's National Health Service (NHS) faces a significant risk of losing talented doctors unless steps are taken to address the issue of retention. Almost 19% of doctors are considering quitting the profession in the UK, with 12% considering a move abroad. The main reasons cited for this trend include better treatment and higher pay in other countries.

Key Takeaways:

  • Almost 19% of doctors are considering quitting being a doctor in the UK, according to GMC figures.
  • 12% of doctors are considering leaving the UK to work abroad, citing better treatment and higher pay as key reasons.
  • 43% of doctors have researched career opportunities in other countries.
  • 15% of doctors have taken "hard steps" towards leaving UK practice, such as applying for roles overseas or contacting recruiters.
  • The GMC has warned that losing talented staff could threaten Government ambitions to reduce waiting times and deliver better care to patients.
  • 8% of doctors who felt they could progress their career said they were likely to leave the UK medical profession and had taken hard steps towards doing so.
  • One in three doctors said they are unable to progress their education, training, and careers in the way they want.
  • Those who did not feel as though their careers were progressing the way they would wish were at higher risk of burnout and were less satisfied with their work.

Statistics:

  • 19% of doctors are considering quitting being a doctor in the UK (GMC figures).
  • 12% of doctors are considering leaving the UK to work abroad (GMC figures).
  • 43% of doctors have researched career opportunities in other countries (GMC report).
  • 15% of doctors have taken "hard steps" towards leaving UK practice (GMC report).
  • 92% of patients are expected to be seen within 18 weeks for routine hospital treatment by July 2029 (Prime Minister's pledge).
  • 8% of doctors who felt they could progress their career said they were likely to leave the UK medical profession (GMC report).
  • 27% of doctors who did not feel they could progress their career said they were likely to leave the UK medical profession (GMC report).

Sources:

  • General Medical Council (GMC)
  • Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
  • Health Correspondent The Government's pledge to cut hospital waiting lists is at risk unless more is done to retain doctors in the NHS. Almost one in five (19 per cent) of doctors are considering quitting being a doctor in the UK, the General Medical Council (GMC) said. And one in eight (12 per cent) are considering leaving the UK to work abroad, according to GMC figures. The main reason given for considering a move abroad was that doctors are "treated better" in other countries, with an increase in pay cited as the second most common reason for plans to emigrate. Overall, some 43 per cent of doctors told the GMC that they had researched career opportunities in other countries. Some 15 per cent of doctors reported they had taken "hard steps" towards leaving UK practice - such as applying for roles overseas or contacting recruiters.