Inequalities of provision of nationally funded clinical academic training awards for healthcare professionals: quantitative comparisons across the four nations of the UK.

Background: There is a common perception that investment in clinical academic training awards for healthcare professions (not medicine and dentistry) in England outweighs that in the devolved nations (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) of the United Kingdom.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate this perception by gathering data on the number of such awards made and the level of associated expenditure by each of the nations during 2017-2022.

Methods: Freedom of Information requests were sent to government agencies that provide nationally funded clinical academic training awards in each UK nation. Data on the number of awards provided, the whole time equivalent salaries and durations applicable and the expenditures entailed in the period 2017-2022 were broken down into six levels of training, from internship through to post-doctoral. Standardised per capita comparisons were made between nations.

Results: Large differences were found between nations. Only England provided awards in all categories. Wales made the most awards per capita. Scotland invested less than a sixth of that spent by England per capita and under half of that spent by Wales or Northern Ireland.

Conclusions: Strategic approaches focusing on opportunities across the whole career pathway, particularly in the devolved nations, are recommended to achieve cross-national parity.