Medical Student Places Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate

Lord Allan of Hallam

Main Page: Lord Allan of Hallam (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Medical Student Places

Lord Allan of Hallam Excerpts
Monday 22nd April 2024

(7 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate
Lord Evans of Rainow Portrait Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I thank my noble friend for that question. She is right to point out that certain GPs in their 50s retire, but the Government are committed to increasing the number of GPs. As I indicated in my Answer, there is a substantial number of younger new GPs in the pipeline.

Lord Allan of Hallam Portrait Lord Allan of Hallam (LD)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

My Lords, I associate these Benches with the condolences to the families of the noble Baronesses, Lady Gardner and Lady Massey. The Government, in their response to a Guardian article that queried the student numbers, said that numbers will be increasing “exponentially until 2031”. Exponentially is an impressive adverb that is sometimes used to mean something that is fast and getting faster. It also has a more precise meaning, and there is a formula. Will the Minister share the formula being used between now and 2031, so that we can see how many places will be allocated each year?

Lord Evans of Rainow Portrait Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I thank the noble Lord for that question. I do not have a formula in my briefing pack, but I will ask that question and refer the answer back to the noble Lord. I would also point out not to believe everything that you read in the Guardian.