Health Education England (HEE) has revealed that a record number of GP trainees have been accepted onto placements this year.
Over 4,000 students have accepted places for specialist general practice training in 2021/ 22, according to the new figures published by HEE.
This is compared to previous total recruitment numbers of 3,793 in 2020 and 3,540 in 2019.
HEE, which is in charge of providing places for GP specialty training recruits and managing the overall specialist training process, says it has now either ‘hit or exceeded the government target for four years’, in regards to GP specialty trainee recruitment totals.
The body has also met the government target of increased trainee recruitment every year, since 2015.
HEE also cites figures from NHS Digital that show, as of September 2021, that there were 8,664 GPs at training grade in GP placements across England.
Professor Simon Gregory DL, Deputy Medical Director, Primary and Integrated Care at Health Education England, said: “It has been a challenging 18 months for the profession across the board. As a GP myself it is heart-warming to see so many trainees wanting to become family doctors.
“The fact that so many people are interested in joining general practice speciality training means we are doing all we can to help provide a sufficient and sustainable workforce.”
