Junior Doctors Unemployment in August

[PurpleFairyLights]

Name changed but long term poster. Have a child that is in this situation with 100k of student debt.

https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2025-05-07/bma-we-could-potentially-see-thousands-of-unemployed-doctors

Unbelievable this was allowed. Most countries protect their medical graduates.

It’s really quite common. Even in London.

I understand perfectly. If all of the British juniors got a job there would still be 10000 of them would have to go before the point in 7 years time when only 2000 doctors are needed. IMG's who go back home actually soften this blow. Arguably someone who isn't going to get to the very top is better to go sooner rather than later.

Facts

Your lack of understanding is ridiculous. The ST/CT1 positions (assume you know the difference) are created to fill the prospective consultant posts. Many will go LTFT or on maternity leave or just leave during the 7 years of training and this is factored into the numbers. Surely you know that ?

@mumsneedwine that really made me laugh.

I think we have the thread disruptors working in shifts.

@PurpleFairyLights Wes,BAPIO and their friends will do everything they can to shut us up, but they don’t have a chance against mummy power !

Read these if you don’t believe me. There are thousands more like them.

The term ‘thread disrupters’ is ludicrous. Only the truly unimaginative are not able to engage in reasonable discourse. And just one side is displaying that trait here. At least keep it polite while doing so.

Seems like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.

Tone of the BMA letter is panic. Why? Surely they could see this coming down the tracks years ago? IMG applications have been increasing year on year...

What is rude about the words "thread disrupter".
Not sure why you think I should be "imaginative" in a factual thread.

Because @Auchencar when you appear you cause disruption by spouting absolute crap. It’s a free world so crack on (or is that too abusive for you ?). But the truth is not up for debate - 20,000 unemployed doctors is a disgrace. I’m sure your own doctor DCs agree.

@PurpleFairyLights think BMA are finally wising up to who pays the majority of their fees !

In that case you are going to love this.

I agree with @Auchencar and @oddandelsewhere .There is a profound lack of understanding on this thread, which is OK and to be expected. What is more troubling is the lack of insight.

When the EWTD was introduced 25 yrs ago or thereabouts, rotas suddenly required twice as many doctors, because juniors (who were proper residents) were no longer alowed to work 32hr stretches often without sleep. An influx of foreign drs was the only way to deal with this. So at this point you have twice as many juniors as before without any increase in beds or theatres and therefore consultants.

Since then successive health depts. including the current regime under "Wes" have had the stated aim to reduce hospital beds.

Meanwhile medical school places have ballooned because schools get credit for sending pupils there and medical schools adopting a less scientific curriculum, with inexpensive bedside teaching to replace it, have been happy to milk this particular cash cow.

There really is no point getting hot and bothered now about UK medical graduates not having jobs. The good ones will, the others I am afraid were sadly misled.

Ah the same people who appear on every thread come to spout your same rubbish. Facts are facts.

13,000 jobs for 12,000 graduates. Maths is quite simple (for most people anyway).

I simply share the same view as others which happens to be different from yours. Nothing I say is ‘crap’. It’s perfectly well reasoned. You seem
only to be able to counter other posters’ reason by being rude (the silly rock photo, the language used - certainly not just to me). You clearly believe that nationality comes ahead of merit; I don’t. No need to be childish on account of different views though, none at all. Far too many middling UK media school graduates and yes - they should find a more suitable career sooner rather than later as the previous poster said. For everyone’s sake, including their own.

It’s like some people can’t read.

It’s inappropriate rather than rude. This is AIBU. Some posters think you are - that’s not being a ‘disrupter’!

Also, clearly this is a policy matter and therefore views will differ. It isn’t an issue of fact. Opinion and fact are different by definition.

Media graduates ? We’ve now moved on from law then ? You really don’t understand how doctors get jobs do you ? I mean, you only know about those amazingly talented London doctors who are obviously so much better than all the others 😂😂. Nothing to do with ‘merit’, mostly to do with cash.

It is a FACT that many doctors will be unemployed in August, of all levels. CCT, GP, F2, ST2. All highly trained and capable, what a waste of training.

Disgusting that you think UKMGs are not up to standard. Oriel opens in October the year before specialty training starts. This means F2s have been doctors for 14 months when they apply for specialty training.

Please explain to me why you think a doctor of 14 months can compete on a level playing field with IMGs that have been doctors for many years?

The points based system of the application gives people that have been doctors for years a huge advantage.

This post makes no sense.

Sorry if this disappoints you mumsneedwine but plenty of DS’s friends and peers in London are from either not privileged or underprivileged backgrounds. Just extremely clever, resilient (possibly aided by background) and excellent with communication.

Disgusting is absolutely not an ok term to use.

Nationality comes before "merit" in 195 countries worldwide who will not have 20,000 unemployed doctors in August alongside massive waiting list.

IMGs do not come on "merit" . They get more points as they are experienced doctors competing against doctors of 14 months.

Well that’s the system so these kids have to run with it. Plenty get through.

Competition is good, not bad.