More than half of junior doctors finishing basic training last year did not continue on an NHS career path.

For the first time most junior doctors finishing their foundation programme chose not to carry on with specialist training, heightening concerns that they are fed up with working in an overstretched NHS. In 2011, 71 per cent of doctors completing the two-year foundation programme entered training to become GPs or hospital specialists. By last year this had fallen to 43 per cent. Some carried on in other NHS roles such as locums, and training chiefs said that most would eventually return.

However, rising numbers are opting for a break or giving up medicine entirely. Last year 14 per cent said they were taking a break, up