May 12, (THEWILL) – In a new move to address staff shortages, the UK National Health Service (NHS), has unveiled plans to launch a post-A level apprenticeship scheme, which would allow one in 10 doctors and a third of nurses to start work without a traditional medical degree.
The scheme is part of a wider workforce strategy, aimed at finding new ways to train and recruit healthcare workers.
Chief Executive of the NHS in England, Amanda Pritchard, said the “medical doctor degree apprenticeship” would involve the same training and standards as traditional education routes, with the key difference being that apprentice medics will be put on the wards almost immediately, working under supervision and being paid.
“This radical new approach could see tens of thousands of school-leavers becoming doctors and nurses or other key healthcare roles, after being trained on the job over the next 25 years”, said Pritchard.
The expansion of NHS apprenticeship schemes will offer an alternative to a traditional university degree and may entice people into a medical career later in life, she added.
Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, had promised that the NHS’s long-term workforce plan will be published “shortly”.
Ms Pritchard said that the plan is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to put the NHS on a sustainable footing”, as she highlighted the 124,000 vacancies across the workforce.
Speaking to pupils at the Durham Johnston Comprehensive School on Friday, Ms Pritchard said: “As someone who has spent just over a quarter of a century working in the NHS, I have first-hand experience of how rewarding a health service career truly can be.
“With over 350 different roles available, from nursing to biomedical specialist through to peer support worker, there is a potential profession for everyone.
“One thing is clear, the NHS is nothing without its staff. That is why with more than 124,000 vacancies across the workforce, we know we need to increase training places in universities so more of our brightest and best can train to become doctors or nurses.
“But university isn’t right for every school-leaver and some young people want to start earning straight away, while others may decide on a career in health care later in life.
“So the NHS is looking to expand apprenticeship schemes over the coming years, offering a different route into the NHS where students can earn while they learn, instead of going through the university route.”
However, some medics have raised concerns that the scheme could create a “two-tier system”, with apprentice degrees being seen as “lesser.”
