Health Secretary Warns of Potential NHS Exodus Without Training Priority for British Medics
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has issued a stark warning that British medical graduates may "turn their backs on the NHS" if they are not given priority access to specialty training positions. The Labour minister unveiled new legislation designed to address what he described as an "over-reliance on international recruitment" within the healthcare system.
New Legislation Aims to Prioritise UK-Trained Graduates
The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill, scheduled for Commons discussion, would establish precedence for UK and Irish medical graduates in both specialty and foundation training programmes. Specialty training represents the final qualification stage for doctors, focusing on specific medical fields or general practice.
"We've known for years that the treatment of resident doctors is often totally unacceptable and the very real fears about their futures are wholly justified," Streeting declared while presenting the proposed legislation.
Growing Competition for Training Places
According to Department of Health and Social Care figures, competition for training posts has intensified dramatically in recent years. Applications have surged from approximately 12,000 in 2019 to nearly 40,000 currently. NHS statistics from 2025 reveal that of 33,123 doctors applying for specialty training, only 37% (12,316) were UK graduates, with the majority coming from overseas.
"Every time I've met a resident doctor, either formally or informally, they tell me, without fail, how their careers are blocked because there are far too many applicants for training places," Streeting explained. "Not only do I think they have a legitimate grievance, I agree with them."
Addressing Doctor Resentment and Industrial Action
The proposed legislation forms part of Streeting's broader strategy to resolve the ongoing dispute between the government and resident doctors in England. The British Medical Association is currently balloting members about whether to extend industrial action beyond their current mandate, which expires this month but could potentially continue until August if supported.
"If we do not deal with this issue, the resentment it causes will just get worse," Streeting cautioned, emphasising the urgency of addressing training place allocation.
Political Response and Concerns
Conservative shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew expressed conditional support for the legislation's principle but raised practical concerns. "We support the principle behind this draft new law but it must work in practice and not just look good in a headline," he stated.
Andrew called for specific clarifications, particularly regarding doctors training with UK armed forces overseas who should "not be penalised because part of their training takes place abroad on service." He also urged that the Bill's powers should take immediate effect upon royal assent rather than at the Health Secretary's discretion, warning against using legislation as "a further bargaining tool in negotiations with striking doctors."
Balancing International Recruitment and Domestic Training
While acknowledging pride in the NHS as an international employer, Streeting emphasised the need for balance. "We must break our over-reliance on international recruitment," he asserted. "When it comes to prioritisation, we are prioritising UK-trained medical graduates from UK-based universities who have undertaken their training here in the UK, and I think that is the right priority."
The Health Secretary acknowledged ongoing negotiations with the BMA, noting that while "not that far apart" on job-related matters, "there remains a gap between the expectations of the BMA and what the Government can afford." He appealed for "some understanding and a bit of give and take" from resident doctors and their representatives.
As the legislation moves forward for parliamentary discussion, the government faces the dual challenge of addressing domestic medical graduates' career concerns while maintaining a sustainable healthcare workforce model that has increasingly relied on international recruitment to fill vital NHS positions.
