Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the General Medical Council report The state of medical education and practice in the UK: Workforce report 2023, published on 13 November, in particular of the findings relating to traditional or non-traditional career pathways; and what steps they are taking to support greater flexibility in career and training for NHS doctors.

No assessment has been made. NHS England is continuing the Enhancing Junior Doctors Working Lives programme to implement a number of measures aimed at supporting junior doctors, encouraging them to stay in training and the National Health Service, reducing overall attrition. Examples of these measures include less than full time training options, to allow trainees to continue to work in the NHS and progress with their training on a reduced working pattern, where this is beneficial for their personal circumstances.

NHS England is also working with partners to develop a broader range of career pathways and opportunities available to the medical workforce. This includes a commitment to increase career flexibility and training opportunities for doctors in training, locally employed doctors, and specialty and specialist doctors.