Meeting of the Parliament 11 June 2025
I recognise that there are areas in our health service that are particularly attractive, such as paramedicine, midwifery and paediatric nursing. We want to ensure that the number of people who come through training is married to the number of positions that are available on a wider geographical basis, and that we have staff in the areas where we need them in order to respond to patients’ needs across the country.
The work that is under way to consider the future needs of the medical workforce will consider questions such as what the role of a doctor will be, what will look different for them in the way that they deliver care and, importantly, what steps we need to take now in order to deliver against that. The project has been welcomed by doctors at all stages of their careers, as well as by NHS employers, the royal colleges and the British Medical Association. Listening and dialogue will be key, and all doctors will have an opportunity to contribute their views.
In order to do that work well, the process cannot be rushed. That is why the report on that conversation will be published by the end of this year, alongside our assessment of the demand for medical services and the possible future supply of the medical workforce. Consultation on any future policy changes will also need to be informed by the outcomes of NHS England’s review of postgraduate training, which will have an impact, as there are benefits to all four nations if some of our systems and processes are developed in lockstep. That consultation will take place in 2026.
Even with continued effort and investment to grow and support our NHS Scotland workforce, the system can function effectively only if it operates as part of an integrated health and social care system. Therefore, I must take this opportunity to highlight my significant and grave concern about the recently published UK Government white paper on immigration and the Labour Government’s intention to close the social care visa to new applications from abroad. The implications of that will be catastrophic for our social care sector and will undoubtedly have an impact on the entire system.