Medical schools have long been expected to get their numbers exact - not too high, not too low.
In previous years it was not too different to predict and they also used waitlists, letting people in despite missed grades, and some discrete incentives, like offering cash payments to those prepared to defer.
This year, however the problem is far worse and not only have Exeter already been offering generous payments to those prepared to defer, but it seems as if the Government have been doing a ring-round to see if some medical schools still have spare places, or can fit a few more in.
The bottleneck is usually placement places, including with GPs.
I assume that places will be honoured but that there will be incentives offered to defer or switch medical schools. Also I would guess that clearing places at St Georges etc may not happen.
I don't think it is such bad thing for this year's applicants, and indeed would suggest that a gap year is really worth considering, but I do think it will make next year's applications really problematic.