Sarwar aims to strengthen graduate medics working in NHS with 'train here, stay here' policy
Scottish Labour is holding its pre-election spring conference in Paisley.
Anas Sarwar has vowed to require medical, nursing and dental graduates to work in Scotland’s NHS for at least five years under a “train here, stay here” strategy if Labour forms the next Holyrood government.
The Scottish Labour leader has set out his party’s plans ahead of May’s election in a bid to alleviate the workforce shortages in the NHS and social care across Scotland.
Unveiling the policy ahead of Scottish Labour’s conference in Paisley today, Mr Sarwar has also committed to a 10-year NHS workforce strategy to link university places, training posts and long-term career development.
Under the flagship “train here, stay here” policy, any Scottish medical, nursing or dental student who takes a funded place at a Scottish university would, after graduating, be expected to work in Scotland’s NHS or social care system for at least five years, or repay their tuition support and bursaries.
READ MORE: SNP suing hundreds of dentists to reclaim bursary funds for failing to treat enough NHS patients
Currently, the Scottish graduate entry medicine (ScotGEM) bursary offers students £4,000 a year, up to four years, which requires one year of NHS employment per year the bursary is received.
Students receiving the Dental Student Support Grant (DSSG) currently have to repay part or all of the funding received if NHS work commitments are not met, again over four years.
Earlier this month, The Scotsman revealed that SNP ministers are suing hundreds of dentists for failure to see enough NHS patients - attempting to claw back bursary payments.
Mr Sarwar said if he forms the next Scottish government, Labour “will fix the SNP’s mess by ending the scandal of poor workforce planning” - stressing that “if Scotland pays for your training, Scotland should benefit from your skills”.
He added: “Scotland has high vacancy rates across the NHS, while too many nurses and doctors struggle to get the training places and career pathways they need. That failure of planning is letting down staff and patients alike.
Mr Sarwar said Labour “will change the rules so that Scottish medical, nursing and dental students on funded university places will be expected to work in Scotland’s NHS or social care system for at least five years after graduating”, or be forced to “repay their tuition support and bursaries”.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “NHS Scotland staffing is at a record high and much of what is being discussed here is already being taken forward.
“We are already testing a return of service bursary, entitling students to four years’ worth of bursary payments totalling £16,000 with a requirement to work in Scotland for a corresponding number of years following graduation.
“Work to plan Scotland’s Future Medical Workforce Project is progressing, and today I met with stakeholders, including BMA Scotland & the General Medical Council to discuss the next phase.
“We are investing £14 million in specialty training places and increasing investment to expand Foundation Year training to support those who graduate from a Scottish medical school to stay here.”
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