DOCTORS’ leaders warned today that medical students in Wales plan to leave the country after graduating to work where pay levels are higher.

A BMA Cymru Wales survey of medical students has revealed that 39 per cent plan to leave Wales after graduation to start their medical careers elsewhere for better pay and working conditions. 

The survey of students at Cardiff, Swansea and Bangor’s medical schools revealed that 80 per cent of those who intend to leave Wales plan to begin foundation training in England and 15 per cent in Scotland, where junior doctors receive higher pay.

Junior doctors in Wales are on the second day of a four-day strike this week for better pay after the Welsh government refused to pay more than 5 per cent.

Welsh junior doctors committee co-chairman Dr Peter Fahey said: “It is no surprise that we are losing doctors as they search for better pay and conditions elsewhere.”

According to the BMA survey, of the students intending to stay in Wales after graduation, just a quarter are now planning to stay beyond their foundation training.

Junior doctors co-chairman Dr Oba Babs-Osibodu said: “The fact that students are now actively looking to leave Wales to develop their career elsewhere is a testament to the prolonged undervaluing of doctors in Wales. 

“Students who are the future of the profession have already realised that they can seek out better pay and conditions even before they graduate.”

A Welsh government spokesperson said: “We continue to work with employers and unions to deliver the working environment and conditions our NHS staff deserve and need to continue providing high-quality care for the people of Wales.

“It is disappointing that Welsh medical school graduates are indicating that they do not wish to remain in Wales for their foundation years, but there will be those who have studied elsewhere in the UK who will be joining NHS Wales post-graduation, while some who leave are likely to return later in their careers.

“It’s also likely that many medical students originally from England came to Wales to study for their university degree. The allocation of foundation posts is a UK-wide scheme.”