Record breaking numbers recruited to GP specialty training

Figures released by Health Education England (HEE) today show that recruitment to GP specialty training is the highest ever for this time of year with 2598 trainees accepted on to courses compared to 2533 for the same period last year.

The GP specialty training fill rate for Round 1 A is up 2 per cent on last year and if current trends continue HEE is on course to meet its 3250 target. The aim is to recruit even more trainees if this is possible.

The published figures also highlights increases in fill rates across other key specialities including Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics and gynaecology, and Psychiatry.

Professor Wendy Reid, Director Education and Quality, Health Education England said:

I am really pleased that we are seeing good increases in fill rates across all medical specialities.  In particular there has been good recruitment in General Practice , Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics and gynaecology, and Psychiatry.

“This is good news for the NHS and will support the delivery of high quality care to patients across the country. It is also a great start to our specialty recruitment programme this year and with more rounds to come we will be continuing to work hard to increase applications across all specialities.

Professor Simon Gregory,  Deputy Medical Director Primary and Integrated Care, Health Education England said:

After our record breaking year last year when we exceeded our target, we are delighted that trainees are continuing to apply for GP specialty training in such large numbers. It shows that our campaign to highlight General Practice as a rewarding, sustainable, flexible career is having a great impact.

“ It great that so many doctors are choosing a career in general practice. Many of our educators are telling us that the calibre of applicants is also high which is great news.  I  would like to thank everyone who is working hard to promote GP Specialty Training.

HEE has released all specialty round 1A fill rate figures and they are available to view at https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/medical-recruitment/specialty-recruitment-round-1-acceptance-fill-rate

The highest ever number of people entered GP training in NHS history last year, the  record figure of 3473 saw the annual target of 3250 surpassed for the very first time