People wanting to be doctors will soon have the option of skipping traditional medical school and obtaining their degree via an apprenticeship under a radical new scheme approved by the UK government.
The first new starters are anticipated to begin in September 2023 for the alternative training program, which will span five years — much like a traditional degree.
Apprentices will complete all the usual elements of a regular medical degree, plus the Medical Licensing Assessment and be eligible for provisional GMC registration on completion, according to Health Education England.
It says participants will have the bonus of earning a wage while studying, with healthcare providers also covering a portion of their training costs.
The scheme was first floated a year ago and has been met with heavy scepticism from the BMA, which has questioned how apprenticeships can offer the same standard of education as traditional medical school.
Instead, it has argued for a dramatic increase in traditional medical school places to solve the dire NHS workforce crisis.
“It will take many years to put in place the supporting structures needed to train the thousands of additional medical students needed, following a government commitment to invest in more medical school places,” it said last week.
“A rapid decision to significantly expand and increase investment in medical education and training is urgently required.”
With no organisations having signed up to so far, it is also unclear how many places will actually be made available.