Potentially thousands of junior doctors could leave the NHS, with a poll by the British Medical Association (BMA) revealing that 40% plan on moving.

Pay and poor working conditions were cited as some of the main reasons for seeking employment elsewhere as the NHS recovers from the pandemic.

The BMA has warned that NHS hospitals “would not be able to cope” without two-fifths of its junior doctor workforce.

The poll also found that 33% of junior doctors in the UK plan on finding work abroad over the next year with many looking towards Australia and New Zealand.

This comes amid possible strikes by junior doctors in England next year for which ballots are to open on January 9.

Some 45,000 junior doctors will be balloted amid warnings that the number of these medical professionals has fallen by more than a quarter in real terms since 2008/09.

Professor Phil Banfield, BMA chair of council, said: “The situation is severe.

“A third of junior doctors are planning to work in another country. Four in ten say that as soon as they can find another job, they will leave the NHS.

“The health service will simply not be able to cope.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: PA - BMA chair of council warned that the situation is severePA - BMA chair of council warned that the situation is severe (Image: PA)

“For decades the NHS was the envy of the world. But without our doctors’ expertise, the country will get sicker.

“We will not accept impoverished healthcare for our nation, or acquiesce to those looking to slash pay and drive down living standards for NHS staff.

“In 2023 we will stand together with patients, an organised workforce ready to act.”

Co-chair of the BMA junior doctors committee, Dr Vivek Trivedi added: “These figures are hugely concerning.

“If our government doesn’t act now, it doesn’t take a genius to see where this will lead: an exodus of junior doctors to foreign countries, with the ones who stay in the NHS facing an ever-increasing workload – until they feel they have no option but to leave too or get burnt out.

“If the government wants ‘move to Australia’ to stay off the New Year’s resolution lists of junior doctors this year, it is going to have to start by reversing the 26% real terms pay cut they have endured since 2008 – or at the very least start speaking with us and stop ignoring our repeated calls to address our pay.”

However, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “The Health and Social Care Secretary has been clear that supporting and retaining the NHS workforce is one of his key priorities, and that includes our hardworking junior doctors.

“Our multi-year pay deal with the British Medical Association is increasing junior doctor’s pay by a cumulative 8.2% by 2023.

“We have also invested an additional £90 million to provide the most experienced junior doctors with higher pay, increased allowances for those working the most frequently at weekends, and increased rates of pay for night shifts.

“There are record numbers of staff working in the NHS, and we are committed to publishing a comprehensive workforce strategy next year.”