Survey of Northern Ireland Medical Students: Crisis as Half Plan to Leave

More than half of medical students in Northern Ireland are considering leaving the region or are unsure about their future career paths, according to a survey conducted by the British Medical Association (BMA). Survey Details Over 66% of those planning to leave aim to work in Australia, with pay and conditions being the primary reasons for departure. The survey results highlighted various factors influencing the decision to leave, including poor health service state and unsatisfactory medical education experiences. Committee Concerns Milan Kapoor, chairman of BMA’s Northern Ireland medical students’ committee (NIMSC), expressed deep concern over the findings, emphasizing the impact of workplace pressures and debt levels on medical students. He urged the government to take action to retain these highly skilled professionals. Dr Alan Stout, chairman of BMA’s Northern Ireland Council, emphasized the urgent need for workforce planning and proper funding to address the impending crisis in the healthcare sector. The survey, open to final and penultimate year students at Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast, received a total of 191 responses.