BSG Workforce Report 2024

Key Points

• On 15th November ‘23 there were 2097 consultant gastroenterologists and hepatologists in the UK, an 8.0% expansion from ‘22.
• 26% of consultants were female and 18.9% consultants that responded to the RCP census reported LTFT working. 
• The return rate of the RCP census amongst gastroenterologists has dropped to 15% (16.6% across all specialties).
• The consultant workforce has expanded by 65% over the last ten years; mean yearly expansion is 7.2%.
• Mean intended retirement age is reported at 62 with 54.41% reported to reach this age over the next decade. 
• 74% of respondents to the RCP census reported a consultant vacancy in their department and increase from 59% of respondents in the previous census year.
• On 31st December 2023, there were 611 (234 female and 377 male) gastroenterology and hepatology Higher Specialty Trainees in the UK (information supplied by JRCPTB).
• Only 28% of newly qualified consultant respondents to the RCP post CCT survey intend to apply for a substantive post. 
• 76% Consultants over 65 yrs surveyed continue working LTFT or Flexibly. This is the same figure as last year demonstrating we continue to retain our retiring workforce.
• Objective and credible mathematical modelling suggests we should be offered 34 additional NTNs annually for the UK as whole if a moderate demand scenario is realised.

Dr Shairoz Samji, BSG Workforce Lead

Read our full reports

Getting Ahead of the Curve report

The 'Getting ahead of the Curve Report' was created in 2024, reflecting the Workforce Lead’s reflections on the medical workforce issues and how gastroenterology might plan for the future.