Fifth of doctors tempted to move abroad, warns GMC

Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to cut hospital waiting lists is at risk unless more is done to retain doctors, as one in five consider leaving the UK to work abroad, the medical regulator has warned.

- By REBECCA THOMAS, HEALTH CORRESPONDENT

The General Medical Council (GMC) said 19 per cent of doctors are considering the move - with claims doctors are “treated better” in other countries given as the main reason.

Better pay was the second most common reason for plans to emigrate.

The news comes as the government faces ongoing strike action from resident doctors over its refusal to give in to their demands for a 29 per cent salary increase.

According to the GMC, 43 per cent of doctors surveyed said they had researched career opportunities in other countries, and 15 per cent had taken “hard steps” towards working outside the UK - such as applying for roles overseas or contacting recruiters.

Sir Keir has pledged that 92 per cent of patients will be seen within 18 weeks for routine hospital treatment such as hip and knee replacements by July 2029 - a vow the GMC said could now be under threat.

“We must be alive to the ongoing risks to retention of doctors and the impact of losing talented staff,” the authors of the GMC’s latest report warned.

“This could threaten government ambitions to reduce waiting times and deliver better care to patients.”