Written question asked by Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 5 July 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 July 2021. It was answered by Lord Bethell (Conservative) on Friday, 16 July 2021 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Doctors: Vacancies

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to address the shortage of doctors in the NHS.

Answer: In England, to further increase the supply of doctors we have increased the number of medical school places by 1,500 and opened five medical schools. This expansion was completed in September 2020 and the first of these doctors will enter the workforce from 2023. We are also taking action to increase the retention of doctors. The Enhancing Junior Doctors’ Working Lives programme, led by Health Education England, is delivering a range of initiatives to improve the quality of life of doctors in training.

Secondary information