Doctors' pessimism over NHS future

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The British Medical Association (BMA) warned that the chaos over medical training had led to "unprecedented pessimism" about future employment.

According to BMA figures, 34,250 junior doctors have applied for 18,500 specialist posts around the UK.

A review group set up to examine problems with the Medical Training Application Service (MTAS) - part of Modernising Medical Careers - has now agreed a solution for round one of the process.

But the BMA poll suggests deep-rooted dissatisfaction with how the NHS is evolving.

Asked how the NHS would look in 2017, 94% of young doctors said they thought that the role of the private sector would grow, with only 15% believing that would benefit patients.

Almost half (46%) thought at least 50% of NHS care would be delivered by private companies by 2017 and 15% thought up to 75% of care would be provided that way.

Almost two-thirds (61%) said they were "very concerned" about the fragmentation of the NHS and another 31% said they were "somewhat concerned".

A total of 61% thought it was unlikely that the NHS would continue to be free at the point of use for all patients by 2017 and 83% thought the range of free services offered by the NHS would shrink.

Half thought medicine was still a job for life, 48% envisaged leaving the NHS in 10 years' time, with only a third (35%) of those saying that would be through choice.