Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the inclusion of doctors on the shortage occupation list; and what recent discussions officials of his Department have had with officials of other Departments on that same subject.

The Government is committed to ensuring the National Health Service has access to the right number of doctors and other healthcare professionals required to deliver safe, high quality, efficient care to patients.

My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of subjects including workforce supply in the NHS and officials continue to monitor and analyse overall staffing levels across the NHS and adult social care, and work across Government at all levels to ensure there will continue to be sufficient staff to deliver the high quality services on which patients rely.