Latest recruitment figures show that training places in the speciality areas of clinical radiology, paediatrics and general surgery for the two years post-medical school are 100% filled this year.
Foundation training places overall are currently 99% full in Scotland.
Of all medical training posts in Scotland, 89% are currently filled – the highest level for five years at this stage in recruitment.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman MSP commented:
“These latest recruitment rates for our medical trainee posts are very encouraging and reflect Scotland’s reputation as a country with a first-class medical education system and flexible training opportunities.
“We recognise that there are still on-going challenges when it comes to recruiting to certain medical specialities and geographical areas, and we are continuing to address these issues.
“The £20,000 Scottish Government bursary for GP Specialty Training posts continues to play a part in directing trainees into hard-to-fill locations across Scotland, with 71% of bursary-eligible posts filled so far.”
Medical Director of NHS Education for Scotland (NES), Professor Stewart Irvine, said:
“We welcome the continued improvement in fill rates for training posts across Scotland this year and, once again, many of our training programmes are completely filled following recruitment.
“This is a great tribute to the hard work of consultants and general practitioners across the whole of Scotland, who continue to ensure that doctors training here have a great experience and the best possible training.
“It is particularly encouraging that our core training programmes in surgery and internal medicine have been completely filled following the investment we have made in the redevelopment of these programmes.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP added:
“While it’s great to see the increase in Specialty Recruitment fill rates across Scotland, we are still looking for more specialists.
“I would encourage graduates to visit the NES recruitment website to view vacancies and to learn more about training.
“Between Tuesday 20 July and Tuesday 15 August, medical professionals can also apply for the second round of over 50 GMC-approved medical training specialties in Scotland via the Scottish Medical Training recruitment website.”
ENDS
