The UK’s new 10-year NHS workforce plan will reduce foreign recruitment to below 10% by 2035 — and it’s important Nigerians in the UK understand what this means for us.
The plan, unveiled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aims to train and retain more UK-born doctors and nurses, cutting down on the NHS’s historic reliance on foreign healthcare professionals. Currently, Indian nationals make up the largest share of overseas NHS staff, but many Nigerians also work or aspire to work in the NHS.
The government argues that although the NHS has benefited from international talent for decades, it now wants to “change the balance” and prioritise homegrown medical graduates. This means UK medical graduates will get preference for training roles — making it tougher for foreign-trained doctors and nurses to get into the system.
In 2020, the UK allowed foreign candidates to compete equally with UK graduates for postgraduate training spots. Many overseas professionals, including Nigerians, grabbed this chance. But under the new plan, competition will get tighter, and local graduates will have an advantage.
However, the plan is already facing backlash. The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) argues the targets are unrealistic. They point out that a large number of UK-trained doctors leave for countries like Australia and Canada every year — worsening the NHS staff shortage.
Dr. Ramesh Mehta, BAPIO’s president, says: “The need for medical staff will only grow. There simply won’t be enough domestic doctors if UK graduates keep leaving. The creators of the plan are in a fantasy world.”
Many foreign-trained doctors, including those from Nigeria, face a double challenge — passing UK screening tests and then competing for limited training posts. Dr. Mehta adds that merit and dedication to the NHS, not nationality, should decide placements.
📅 Here’s a quick breakdown of the 10-year plan:
✅ 2025–2026:
- New workforce model and leadership culture.
- Robotic surgery to increase.
- NHS App improvements start — “one digital front door”.
- Publish performance tables.
✅ 2026–2027:
- New GP contracts to boost access.
- 95% of people with complex needs to have a care plan.
- NHS App to support more self-care.
✅ 2027–2028:
- NHS App becomes a full gateway for bookings and care.
- Expansion of personal health budgets.
✅ 2028–2031:
- Aim for 2% annual productivity growth.
- More medical specialty courses and nursing apprenticeships.
- Training to include AI and digital literacy.
✅ 2030–2035:
- Wearable tech for chronic illness.
- Outpatient care will shift away from traditional hospital models.
- Fully AI-enabled, digital-first hospitals.
- Genomics and prevention services available to all.
👉🏽 What does this mean for you?
If you’re a Nigerian in the UK working in healthcare or planning to join the NHS, you may face stiffer competition for training posts and roles. It’s more important than ever to plan ahead, build your skills, and stay informed about how immigration and NHS recruitment policies may affect your career.
📚 Read the full details of the plan here:
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