For the first time there is a "genuine prospect" of doctors being unemployed, the Telegraph reports.

Official projections from the Department of Health body responsible for medical education indicates that hundreds of graduates will be without a job in the coming year. Although the number of medical school places has been expanded since 2002 the increase in applicants from within the EU, and a shortage of training posts, has failed to ensure the realisation of full employment levels.

The issue is to be raised at both the British Medical Association's junior doctors conference as well as by a report published by the Commons Health Select Committee. However, there is unlikely to be any immediate benefit for the medical graduates who are unsuccessful in securing a placement this year.
UK graduates leave medical school qualified as a doctor but must complete a foundation year placement before they are allowed to join the General Medical Council register and practice independently.

Each will be left with debt averaging £70,000 and those without a placement face a year of waiting before re-applying next year - when pressure for places will subsequently increase.

If you a medical student this is quite likely to be cause for concern, and yet the ramifications extend far further still. Think about it, if one of the most valuable careers in the country - which requires extensive training and costs the UK taxpayer approximately £260,000 per medical student - is struggling in the current economic conditions, what chance does everyone else have?

On top of which, a fair few of the unsuccessful many will most likely leave the profession, will increase the pressure elsewhere in the job market. I apologise for the gloomy tone this week but it really is an embarrassment and a shame. Solutions? Normally there would be something supposedly witty or an official consideration at this point, but in the current conditions I cannot think of any. Suggestions below, please.

Jordan, GRB Journalist