Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Royal College of Physician Census 2021, what assessment he has made for the implications of his policies of the 56 percent of trainees reported to be interested in working less than full time.

No specific assessment has been made. However, opportunities for flexibility, such as less than full time working patterns, is a considered in the development of workforce plans. The Department has commissioned NHS England to develop a long term workforce plan, which will include projection of supply and demand. The outcomes of this plan will be available in due course.

In 2016, Health Education England introduced the Enhancing Junior Doctors’ Working Lives programme, which includes opportunities for part time working to support junior doctors in training.