The Government's pledge to cut hospital waiting lists faces serious risk unless urgent action is taken to retain doctors in the NHS, the medical regulator has warned. Almost one in five doctors are considering quitting the profession entirely in the UK.
The General Medical Council (GMC) revealed that 12% of doctors are actively considering leaving the country to work abroad. The main reason cited for emigration plans was that doctors feel "treated better" in other countries, with increased pay being the second most common motivation.
Doctors researching overseas opportunities
A striking 43% of doctors told the GMC they had researched career opportunities in other countries. Some 15% reported taking "hard steps" towards leaving UK practice, including applying for overseas roles or contacting international recruiters.
The GMC's latest report warned that losing talented medical staff "could threaten Government ambitions to reduce waiting times and deliver better care to patients". Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) has pledged that 92% of patients will receive routine hospital treatment within 18 weeks by July 2029.
Career progression concerns highlighted
The report raised significant concerns about limited career advancement opportunities for medical professionals. Doctors who felt unable to progress their careers were significantly more likely to consider leaving the UK medical profession.
One in three doctors said they cannot progress their education, training and careers as they wish, according to the report based on responses from 4,697 doctors across the UK. Those feeling stuck in their career development showed higher rates of burnout and lower job satisfaction.
Workload and competition impact retention
The GMC identified workloads, competition for posts, and lack of senior support as key factors damaging career prospects for UK doctors. Charlie Massey, chief executive of the GMC, said doctors need to feel "satisfied, supported, and see a hopeful future for themselves".
"Like any profession, doctors who are disillusioned with their careers will start looking elsewhere," Massey said. "Achieving this requires modernising the current training system, so it meets the needs of doctors and patients."
Strike talks continue with Government
The findings emerge as Health Secretary Wes Streeting and the British Medical Association remain locked in negotiations to prevent further strike action by resident doctors. The dispute centres on pay and insufficient training places following a five-day walkout in July.
Billy Palmer, senior fellow at the Nuffield Trust think tank, said the survey highlighted "wider difficulties facing the medical profession" beyond pay disputes. He suggested job guarantees, better rotas and addressing medical graduates' student debt could help retain doctors.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the findings as "further evidence" of legitimate complaints about working conditions after "more than a decade of neglect". The Government committed to improving career opportunities and working conditions through its 10 Year Health Plan.
(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
