Russell Group universities have pledged to train thousands more healthcare workers and support more students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access medical careers.��

The group of 24 institutions has announced a new commitment to train 181,000 students in medical fields by 2030, including as doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives, as the NHS continues to experience severe workforce pressures.

This amounts to an increase of over 15 per cent, equivalent to an extra 26,000 students compared with the current cohort.

The plans include training students for other health-related professions such as engineers, sociologists and technology, legal and policy experts.��

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The Russell Group said it would also look to help more students from disadvantaged backgrounds into medical and health careers.

The government’s 10-year plan for the NHS, published last year, highlighted the need to expand access to the medical profession for those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with only 5 per cent of medical school entrants from the lowest socio-economic groups.

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It said the expansion of medical school places, which are capped by the government, would be targeted at institutions with “a proven track record of widening participation”.��

The Russell Group said its universities have more than doubled the number of students from the most deprived areas studying medicine and dentistry over the past decade.��

The group’s members plan to launch targeted initiatives including gateway courses, summer schools and mentoring.��

“Few things are more important than protecting the health of the people in this country, but the system is under huge strain,” said Chris Day, chair of the Russell Group and vice-chancellor of Newcastle University.��

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“Improving access to care and patient outcomes requires a collective effort to build capacity, strengthen the workforce and drive innovation.”

Russell Group universities have already trained over 70 per cent of UK doctors and dentists working today, he added.

The group also committed to increasing support for life sciences innovation and spin-outs emerging from the field, including those developing new medicines and treatments.��

It aims to secure £5 billion in external investment in life sciences companies in 2030 – up from £3 billion a year currently.

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UK science minister Patrick Vallance said the “landmark commitment” would “help us go further in training the next generation of clinicians and scientists, lead to more cutting‑edge companies being formed, and turn research excellence into better outcomes for patients up and down the country”.��

Russell Group universities will also convene a nationwide series of community engagement events that include local people in discussions about how universities “can best deploy their teaching, research and civic resources to deliver the greatest impact”.��

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helen.packer@timeshighereducation.com