Medical schools welcome the government’s announcement to increase Medicine Gateway places by 2000 over the next three years.
It is encouraging that the government recognises the importance of these programmes as a key tool in addressing medical workforce shortages and creating an NHS workforce that reflects the diversity of the population. This also represents a major step forward in expanding opportunities for talented students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds and builds on over a decade of sustained progress across the sector.
Significant strides have already been made in widening participation. Since 2014, the number of Gateway courses has grown from four to 19. Over the same period, the proportion of entrants from the most deprived areas has more than doubled from 6% to 14%, while participation from areas with historically low progression to higher education has also increased. MSC supports using entitlement for Free School Meals as a key metric for identifying individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
These improvements reflect coordinated, evidence-led interventions by medical schools, supported by government, charities and the wider health education sector, including expanded outreach, more transparent admissions and greater use of contextual data to recognise applicants’ achievements more equitably. The planned increase in Gateway places offers an important opportunity not only to build on this momentum but also to target growth more effectively by prioritising regions with the greatest workforce need. This includes areas with ageing populations, poorer health outcomes and longstanding barriers to careers in the NHS.
To maximise impact, expansion should be aligned with efforts to attract and support students from these communities into medicine, ensuring that those who enter medical school, particularly through Gateway routes, are able to succeed throughout their careers. Adequate financial support, including help with living costs, alongside academic, pastoral and professional support, will be essential to enable students to thrive throughout their education and training.
Medical schools are ready to support the government in delivering its ambitions. By working collaboratively and continuing to draw from the widest possible talent pool, we can build a strong, diverse and sustainable medical workforce for the future, ensuring that anyone with the potential to become an excellent doctor is given the opportunity to do so.
Dr Katie Petty-Saphon, CEO, Medical Schools Council
