Petition · Department of Health and Social Care

Require medical students to work 5 years minimum in the NHS after graduation

Closed 103 signatures

What the petition asks

Require all medical students including nurses, doctors, surgeons and especially dentists, prior to commencement of their studies in England, to accept an NHS position after graduation for a minimum period of 5 years.
We believe we are experiencing "Brain Drain", seeing UK-trained professionals leave the UK to take more financially lucrative positions overseas. There is currently a shortage of nurses, doctors and dentists, leaving citizens either on long waiting lists or unable to find NHS services (the latter most especially in dentistry). We think this will in time cause further strain on NHS resources and we think this action could fill vacancies & improve health provision.

Timeline

1 May 2025 Petition opened for signatures
1 Nov 2025 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 103
Status Closed
Department Department of Health and Social Care
Opened 1 May 2025
Closed 1 Nov 2025

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 13 Aug 2026.