Re: It doesn’t add up: where are the training jobs for double the number of medical students?

Dear Editor

I was dismayed to read “it doesn’t add up ” (BMJ 2022: 379: o2586). I ask whether the additional exam originally designed for GP recruitment introduced by Health Education England at short notice to reduce applicants to core surgical training was that mandated by the Return-to Work Scheme with similar outcome of very high attrition rate? If so, is it appropriate that questions such as identifying the biochemical abnormality in Conn’s disease, an uncommon condition, not essential knowledge for safe clinical practice, are included, and hence used to deter and prevent willing GPs from returning to practice after a career break, or surgical trainees embarking on their careers? The Return-to Work Scheme was advertised as tailored to personal needs and supportive. In my opinion it was neither. What a ‘Conn’!