Some 4,000 doctors in key areas like paediatrics and psychiatry are not in the UK as a result of Brexit, according to research.
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Brexit has worsened doctor shortages in the UK, according to a study published on Sunday.
The Nuffield Trust, a think tank specialising in health care, found that Britain's split from the European Union (EU) left the country short of 4,000 doctors in many key areas.
The study comes amid a broader crisis in the UK's public health care system, known as the National Health Service (NHS). Years of austerity by the Conservatives and COVID have caused record waiting times for treatment, low staff morale and labour shortages.
Commissioned by the Guardian newspaper, the study looked at four specialities in which European doctors were particularly represented before the 2016 Brexit vote, includinganaesthesia, paediatrics, cardio-thoracic surgery and psychiatry.
In these areas, it found that recruitment from EU countries and those in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) (Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein) had "slowed", claiming the UK could not find such labour "elsewhere".
If trends observed before Brexit had continued, there should be more than 41,000 EU and EFTA registered doctors in 2021 -- at least 4,000 more than the current figures.
"The campaign and the result of the [2016] referendum on leaving the EU is the obvious reason for this change in trend," claimed the Nuffield Trust.
Assessing the precise impact of Brexit on labour flows to the UK is contested. Others have pointed to the effect of the COVID pandemic, which caused immigration to plummet around the world.
The Nuffield Trust claimed the fall was due to initial uncertainty about new post-Brexit rules, the later tightening of visa rules and the "deterioration of working conditions" across the NHS.
"These results suggest that the stagnation in the number of doctors from the EU in these specialities has exacerbated existing shortages in areas where the NHS is unable to find skilled labour elsewhere," the report found.
FAQs
View more on the general practice workforce. The most valuable resource the health service has is its staff. Yet the NHS is in the midst of a chronic workforce crisis, driven by years of insufficient investment in training new staff, inadequate workforce planning, and lack of government accountability.
Which country has the most shortage of doctors? ›
Bhutan. Bhutan faces a critical shortage of doctors, with a doctor-population ratio far below the WHO requirement of one doctor per 1,000 people. Currently, Bhutan has nearly one doctor per five thousand people, which indicates a major deficit. It is one of the countries with serious doctor shortages in 2023.
How many doctors have left the NHS? ›
The report found that the number of licensed doctors increased in 2022, with 23,838 joining and 11,319 leaving.
How many doctors work in the UK? ›
In 2022, roughly 376.4 thousand doctors were registered in the United Kingdom (UK). The age group with the highest number of doctors is among 30 to 34 years with nearly 60 thousand professionals, followed by 58 thousand registered doctors aged 35 to 39 years.
Why are US doctors paid more than UK doctors? ›
Along with the complicated workings of our private insurance system, the shortage of US doctors is the best elucidation to why they are overcompensated compared to their European counterparts. For example, doctors earn $138,000 in the UK compared to the $316,000 U.S. doctors make . . .
Which healthcare is better US or UK? ›
The Commonwealth Fund conducts an analysis of the healthcare systems of 11 developed countries every few years. According to their latest report published in 2021 analyzing data primarily up to 2019, the US had an overall ranking of 11 out of 11 and the UK ranked 4 out of 11.
Which country has the best doctors in the world? ›
Germany. Germany is known for having top-notch doctors because they receive excellent education and training. The country invests in advanced medical equipment, allowing accurate diagnosis and cutting-edge treatments.
Is there a shortage of doctors in USA? ›
According to new projections published today by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges), the United States will face a physician shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036.
Which country has the best life of doctors? ›
Manik Madaan, M.D.'s Post
- United States: Known for its high salaries and cutting-edge medical technology, the US offers numerous opportunities for doctors. ...
- Germany: Renowned for its strong healthcare system, Germany provides doctors with competitive salaries and excellent work-life balance.
With an average salary of $13,690, Bhutan is one of the countries where doctors are paid the least.
I've seen physician average salary for 2017 reported as ~$317K for hospital specialists. How much of this is actual take-home pay after insurance costs, tax etc? In the UK a hospital based consultant will typically make the equivalent of $100-150K depending on experience.
Where are UK doctors moving to? ›
recently reported that there has been substantial migration of UK-trained doctors to the Australia, Canada and the US, unmatched by migration to the UK on a similar scale from these three countries.
Why are there so many foreign doctors in the UK? ›
The NHS is considered to be one of the most prestigious healthcare systems in the world. It is world-renowned for being at the forefront of patient care and cutting edge healthcare technology. This is one of the main reasons why so many doctors and nurses are keen to relocate to the UK.
Do doctors live well in UK? ›
While the cost of energy bills and food shops might be on the rise, doctors still earn a very competitive salary, so if you move to the UK to become an NHS doctor, you can expect to live very comfortably. Also, the NHS offers excellent perks for its staff.
How many hours do doctors work in England? ›
They usually work 42 to 48 hours a week and also work night shifts, bank holidays and weekends. Understanding what a doctor 's day entails can help you prepare for this fast-paced career.
What is the problem with doctors in the UK? ›
Severe staff crisis in NHS
However, the NHS, once a symbol of pride for the UK, is now teetering on the brink of crisis. Staffing shortages have reached alarming levels, with over 100,000 positions vacant in 2022, including one in every 10 nursing positions and one in every 17 doctor's jobs.
What is causing the doctor shortage? ›
Why is there a physician shortage? While the driving force of the doctor shortage in the US can't be tied to one specific cause, there are a number of contributing factors. Primary among them is the fact that human life expectancy is longer than ever before—and as the population ages, healthcare needs increase.
Is there shortage of doctors in the UK? ›
Currently, the NHS is facing an enormous staffing crisis, meaning there simply aren't enough doctors per patient. It's a national issue affecting the entire NHS workforce and the UK population. While the NHS has suffered staff shortages since its inception, the current situation has reached crisis mode.
Why doesn t the UK train more doctors? ›
There are various logistical constraints on medical training which are not easy to overcome. Not impossible with enough will and money, to be sure. But not easy either. The other problem is that even if they doubled doctor training today, that would only result in a surge of new doctors in the year 2030.
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