NHS drop-out rate an accident waiting to happen, says surgeon

A leading surgeon says a major drop-out rate of trainee doctors is "an accident waiting to happen" for the NHS.

Nigel Mercer was tasked with prioritising surgery across the NHS during the pandemic when services were under intense pressure.

His biggest fear with what he sees as an up to 40% drop-out rate is whether there will be enough doctors to replace his generation of medics.

The government said the majority of trainees go on to work in the NHS.

"[But] at the moment everyone is so fed up with the system," Mr Mercer said

Concerns over pay and conditions are leading many trainees to consider moving to other countries, he said.

"You can get much more pay over in Australia and New Zealand and we reckon it's now 40% of medical graduates who are going to leave after their training and that's criminal," he continued.

"That's an accident waiting to happen, but if we don't produce high-quality paramedical staff there won't be the ability to train anybody.

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Source: BBC News, 12 April 2023