HC Deb 29 June 1976 vol 914 cc170-3
2. Mr. MacGregor

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the official estimate of emigration of doctors born in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland for the latest available 12 months; and how many of these are of registrar, senior registrar and consultant status.

4. Miss Fookes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the net emigration figure of doctors born in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland to: (a) the EEC, (b) the developing Commonwealth, (c) other developing countries and (d) the United States of America and Canada, in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

The Secretary of State for Social Services (Mr. David Ennals)

I will circulate figures for 1968–69, 1969–70 and 1970–71 in the Official Report. Preliminary analysis suggests that in 1974–75 more than 1,000 United Kingdom and Irish-born doctors left this country, and the number returning may have been less than 550.

Mr. MacGregor

Is the Minister aware that all the signs are that the figures will soon be up again on this near-record figure for 1974–75 because of the low state of morale in the profession, due to its poor terms and conditions and because of poor salary prospects compared with prospects overseas? Is he also aware that many consultants, including some in the hospital serving the Minister's own constituents, are now taking up locum posts in European hospitals during their vacations, no doubt testing the water prior to freedom of movement of doctors at the end of the year? What is he going to do about that?

Mr. Ennals

I would say to the hon. Gentleman that the present outflow, which does concern me, started in 1972–73. There is nothing particular about the last two years. It is true that United Kingdom doctors are in considerable demand overseas and their merit here holds them in good respect. I would also say that the figures even now are below the figures of roughly a decade ago. We have to balance that with the fact that with the increasing number of United Kingdom-trained doctors coming back there is a larger number of doctors in the health service now than ever before.

Mr. Pavitt

Will my right hon. Friend give more publicity to the figure of 550 returns? Has he seen the article in the General Practitioner, which says that from Canada and America the number of returns are quite high? It is about time we had as much publicity in respect of those who come back as there is in respect of those who go.

Mr. Ennals

This is important. Very often figures have been used to suggest that doctors who leave do not return. On average, a high proportion—well over half—do return to this country, having gained additional experience abroad. One has to accept that doctors are very mobile. It is good that they should travel and return to Britain.

Dr. Vaughan

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, having first denied for a long time that there was a serious emigration problem and having now admitted that it is increasing, what the House would like to know is what action he will take?

Mr. Ennals

The new contracts that junior hospital doctors have signed have substantially improved their situation. There were 68 senior registrars and 48 registrars among all those who left in 1975, so it is a small proportion.

Mr. Hardy

Is not my right hon. Friend correct in setting his answer against a background of an increasing number of doctors? Will he give some details of that increase over the last 10 years? Is it not also the case that a substantial proportion of the doctors who have emigrated, perhaps only temporarily, were in no way connected with private medicine?

Mr. Ennals

My hon. Friend's latter point is absolutely right—the majority were not particularly involved in private medicine. It is important that we should give more recognition to the fact that people are returning to this country. Doctors want to come back to Britain. That is an important factor.

Miss Fookes

Could I tell the Minister—

Hon. Members

No.

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Lady is going to ask the right hon. Gentleman a question.

Miss Fookes

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is strong dissatisfaction among many doctors about their conditions of service, that this is leading them to consider emigration, and that it is something about which he should be not simply concerned but alarmed?

Mr. Ennals

One has to recognise that doctors are not so much disturbed at con-

Net Migration of United Kingdom and Irish Republic-born Doctors
1968–69 1969–70 1970–71
Country Inflow Outflow Inflow Outflow Inflow Outflow
1. Irish Republic 77 63 137 70 96 51
2. Continental EEC (including Denmark) 7 11 8 15 9 16
3. Developing Commonwealth 153 167 193 155 140 145
4. USA and Canada 104 269 113 333 111 256
5. Other Developing countries 24 33 36 32 30 44

Note: Figures relate to fully or provisionally registered civilian doctors born in the United Kingdom or Irish Republic leaving or entering Great Britain during the year ending 30th September.

The figures for the Continental EEC include Denmark, which was not a member of the EEC in the stated years. Those for developing Commonwealth are for all Commonwealth countries excluding Canada, New Zealand and Australia.