Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to monitor the introduction in Wales of an 18-month training placement for general practice during which trainees will be salaried directly by the Welsh NHS; and whether he plans to introduce such measures in England.

Health services are a devolved matter with each United Kingdom country responsible for ensuring they have a workforce that is equipped to deliver high quality patient care. However, the four UK countries are committed to working together to ensure, where appropriate, Workforce Education and Training policies are aligned.

General practice trainees in England are already required to undertake 18 month placements in general practice as part of their postgraduate specialty training. Currently, general practices that provide training do not contribute to that trainee’s salary, which is funded by Health Education England. General practices are also given a general practitioner trainers grant to contribute towards the cost of training.