The growing number of prospective doctors given placeholder jobs demands urgent action

Abstract

Alastair Paterson explores how the increasing number of prospective doctors allocated to placeholder posts is indicative of a growing workforce crisis The growing number of medical students put on a “placeholder” list after applying for foundation year training raises serious concerns about the capacity and foresight of the UK Foundation Programme Office (UKFPO). In 2024, more than a thousand medical school graduates were left without allocated foundation year training posts and faced a prolonged period of uncertainty while emergency posts were created.1 This has left graduates unable to plan the next steps of their careers and personal lives. Early reports suggest that this year hundreds of students have again been given a placeholder allocation.2 The shortage of foundation training posts is indicative of a growing problem, as the number of students graduating from UK medical schools is expected to continue rising.3 …