Are doctors leaving the NHS in greater numbers?
No, not really. Here is some background first.
The NHS, it is claimed, is facing an exodus of doctors. It is one of the reasons put forward to support their claims for more pay as strike action continues.
But a recent BBC analysis suggests this is not the case – yet.
The proportion of the medical workforce leaving the NHS has hardly changed for a decade, while figures on those seeking a move overseas do not, overall, show a clear upwards trend.
Every year thousands of doctors leave the NHS. Some retire, others move into private practice and some head abroad.
But figures from NHS Digital in England show over the past decade the proportion leaving overall has remained pretty constant at about 14-15%. See chart below.
Meanwhile, the number of new joiners has increased, leading to a rise in the number of doctors in the NHS.
