BMA: Government must address student workforce planning

The British Medical Association (BMA) has raised concerns about the ongoing oversubscription to the government's student foundation programme.

Recent discussions at the BMA medical students conference have highlighted the need for the government to pay more attention to workforce planning to avoid the perennial shortfall in first doctor posts.

This year marks the fifth time the foundation programme has been oversubscribed, with 352 students still on the waiting list.

The BMA medical students committee's co-chairs also noted how contract negotiations for UK doctors in training stalled last October, after it became clear to the BMA that the proposed new contract was not fit for purpose.

BMA medical students committee co-chair Charlie Bell said: "If this country is serious about wanting the best doctors training and working here, then those making the decisions need to start considering students."

Also at the conference, Royal College of Physicians president Jane Dacre told the attendees to be more forthright and risk-taking in order to get ahead in the medical profession.