For decades the United Kingdom has recruited overseas doctors to supplement its workforce. In more recent times, the number of doctors needed has increased as a result of an ageing population, labour intensive new technologies, and shortening of working hours. Recognising these factors, the UK greatly increased medical student places. In a few years there will be many thousands of additional medical graduates annually, and for the first time the UK will be able to meet its medical workforce needs largely through its own graduates. This large increase in medical student numbers creates an increased need for foundation programme places for new graduates and eventually for training places in the specialties if new graduates are to be effectively employed in the workforce.

Most medical disciplines require many years of postgraduate training for full certification, and graduation from medical school is at about the halfway point of a young doctor's …