Clinical academia 07.05.2014

Staffing levels of medical clinical academics in UK medical schools (July 2013)

Clinical academics are university-employed doctors who also hold honorary NHS contracts. They contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate education, conduct research, and deliver patient care. This annual survey, the twelfth of its kind, was initiated in response to concerns about declining numbers in academic medicine and aims to inform workforce planning and policy development.

Summary

This report, published by the Medical Schools Council in May 2014, presents a comprehensive survey of staffing levels of medical clinical academics in UK medical schools as of 31 July 2013. It provides detailed data on academic grades, funding sources, regional and specialty distribution, vacancies, age, gender, ethnicity, and Clinical Excellence Awards. The report highlights trends, challenges, and opportunities in sustaining and developing the clinical academic workforce.

Key findings

Staffing overview
  • Total clinical academic workforce: 3,133 FTE (3,453 individuals).
  • Professors now represent the largest proportion (42.5%), overtaking Readers/Senior Lecturers.
  • Lecturer numbers have increased by 42% since 2006 but remain 33% lower than in 2000.
Funding
  • Posts are funded by Higher Education Funding Councils (43%), NHS (44%), and other sources (13%).
  • NHS funding has significantly increased since 2008, particularly for Lecturer posts via integrated academic training pathways.
Regional distribution
  • 81% of clinical academics are based in England, 12% in Scotland, 5% in Wales, and 2% in Northern Ireland.
  • Regional staffing levels have remained relatively stable, with some variation over three years.
Specialty distribution
  • Physicians/Medicine is the largest specialty (1,224 FTE).
  • Growth observed in General Practice, Ophthalmology, and Surgery.
  • Declines noted in Psychiatry, Pathology, and Medical Education.
  • Some specialties have fewer than 10 FTE Lecturers, making them vulnerable to change.
Vacancies
  • 171 FTE vacancies reported (5.2% of total posts), down from 9% in 2007.
  • Recruitment challenges include lack of qualified candidates and pressures of balancing clinical and academic duties.
Age profile
  • Clinical academics are on average 3.9 years older than NHS consultants.
  • 64% are aged over 46; 26% over 56.
  • Succession planning is essential to maintain workforce levels.
Gender
  • Women make up 28% of the clinical academic workforce.
  • Significant progress: 82% increase in female Professors since 2004.
  • 34% of women work less than full time, compared to 13% of men.
  • Gender disparity remains, especially at senior levels and in certain specialties (e.g. Surgery, Anaesthetics).
Ethnicity
  • 77% of clinical academics are white, compared to 49% of GMC-registered doctors.
  • Greater ethnic diversity at Lecturer level (35% non-white) than at Professor level (17% non-white).
Clinical Excellence Awards
  • 33% of clinical academics hold a national award, compared to 13% of NHS consultants.
  • Women are less likely to hold awards, reflecting broader gender disparities.
Key takeaways
  • The clinical academic workforce has stabilised since its low in 2006, but challenges remain.
  • Integrated academic training pathways have bolstered Lecturer numbers.
  • Recruitment difficulties, ageing workforce, and underrepresentation of women and ethnic minorities require continued attention.
  • Sustained investment and flexible training pathways are vital to support future clinical academic leaders.
  • Medical schools play a key role in embedding research and inspiring students to pursue academic careers.
Download this report
Staffing Levels of Medical Clinical Academics in UK Medical Schools July 2013 (PDF)
Download
Further reading
Staffing levels of medical clinical academics
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.