‘Forgivable loan’ plan for trainees

20 July 2010

DOCTORS could commit to working for the NHS in return for having some of their debt paid off.

The BMA is proposing a ‘forgivable loans’ scheme to help would-be medical students from poorer backgrounds pay for their studies. A typical medical degree costs more than £50,000, which makes it difficult for less-well-off students, the union says.

The government has said it is looking at the issue of supporting medical students.

The BMA said the medical profession was dominated by people from professional and managerial backgrounds. The latest BMA figures show that those from the lowest socio-economic groups make up only 13 per cent of students – despite the fact they make up more than half the UK population.

The BMA believes the low figures are purely down to money. Medical students face the prospect of as much as £37,000 of debt when they graduate, after paying for course fees, food, travel and accommodation. That’s despite many receiving around £16,000 from other sources such as parents and part-time work.

Tom Foley, 28, co-chairman of the BMA's medical students committee said he accepted university couldn’t be free but added: “I am lucky that my parents were able to help me out, not everyone has that. The thing about forgivable loans is that it creates a link between the student and the NHS. We could say to somebody when they are 16, become a doctor and you won't have to worry about having a huge loan. And we would argue that if you can keep people in the NHS as long as possible, it's good for everybody.”

He said the forgivable loan system could deter some medical graduates from moving overseas. The BMA has not specified exactly how the forgivable loan system would work, but is calling on the government to support it.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "The department is currently examining the system of support for medical students, as well as students in other healthcare related disciplines. We will make proposals in due course."