> Medical training isn't as simple as just adding a lecture theatre and a few classrooms, or even a whole university building faculty of lecturers and admin. You also need a hospital (and GP surgeries etc) to be attached as well as enough senior staff to train them when they are there. That training is very intensive on trainer:trainee ratios and the senior staff are also in critically short supply as the ones who were trained up when there was training capacity (which, to be fair, was a time when it was far cheaper to train a medical student), are retiring by the thousands and many newer junior doctors quit or emigrate as a result of their experiences up to that point.
All easily solvable:
1. * You also need a hospital (and GP surgeries etc) to be attached as well as enough senior staff to train them when they are there. *
Only for the final 2 years of a total of 7 years of study, which means if we ramp up entrants for 2025, the extra new facilities need to be ready only in 2032.
2. * That training is very intensive on trainer:trainee ratios and the senior staff are also in critically short supply *
Not a problem for a career which is regulated with a national body - simply enforce a minimum number of hours of teaching/mentorship per year to renew mambership of that body. Since the full capacity will only be needed by 2032, this can be done progressively over 7 years.
3. * are retiring by the thousands and many newer junior doctors quit or emigrate as a result of their experiences up to that point.*
Simple: you currently don't get to qualify as a practicing doctor simply by passing exams, so withhold certification until a minimum time has been spent in mentorship/public health services.
All easily solvable:
1. * You also need a hospital (and GP surgeries etc) to be attached as well as enough senior staff to train them when they are there. *
Only for the final 2 years of a total of 7 years of study, which means if we ramp up entrants for 2025, the extra new facilities need to be ready only in 2032.
2. * That training is very intensive on trainer:trainee ratios and the senior staff are also in critically short supply *
Not a problem for a career which is regulated with a national body - simply enforce a minimum number of hours of teaching/mentorship per year to renew mambership of that body. Since the full capacity will only be needed by 2032, this can be done progressively over 7 years.
3. * are retiring by the thousands and many newer junior doctors quit or emigrate as a result of their experiences up to that point.*
Simple: you currently don't get to qualify as a practicing doctor simply by passing exams, so withhold certification until a minimum time has been spent in mentorship/public health services.