THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE TODAY

From rising virus threats to NHS reforms, the medical world is evolving fast. Our student experts—Namyo, Aayush, and David—break down the biggest stories, including the UK’s medical school expansion, junior doctors' title change, and the spread of HMPV in China.

Is the NHS finally fixing its doctor shortage? Should we be worried about HMPV? Stay ahead of the curve with the latest in medical advancements.

By Namyo L., Aayush T., and David D.

As students, we understand that the world is constantly changing at a great pace. With groundbreaking discoveries, new innovative ideas, and significant scientific studies conducted, it can be difficult for people to keep up with what is happening in modern-day society.

In The Future of Medicine, a group of student medical experts, Namyo, Aayush, and David, will summarise and highlight the most important and exciting developments in medicine. 

So, sit back and relax as we delve into The Future of Medicine Today.

Junior Doctors Receiving a Title Change to "Resident Doctors"

As of 18th September 2024, all junior doctors in the British Medical Association (BMA) received a title change to "Resident Doctors". 

They are qualified medical professionals who are still undergoing training and work under the supervision of senior doctors. They make up around 25% of doctors in the UK and play a crucial role in the NHS, providing the foundation for its future.

In April 2023, during the Junior Doctors' Conference, many junior doctors argued that the title needed to be changed to better reflect the demanding nature of their job. According to an article published by the BMA, many junior doctors believed that the title "Junior Doctor" implied they were not fully qualified and suggested they were still students, making them feel inferior. This concern was taken to the Annual Representative Meeting (ARM), where the idea of a title change was approved and passed in July 2023.

Once the decision was made, a search for a suitable replacement title began. Suggestions such as "Postgraduate Doctor", "Trainee Doctor", and simply "Doctor" were considered. However, after extensive surveys via text, around 91% of junior doctors were satisfied with the title "Resident Doctor" as it aligned with terminology used in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. The title was officially granted during the ARM in June 2024.

This change has been significant for junior doctors, as it not only improves their title but has also simultaneously given them an increase in salary. 

Recently, the British government has invested an additional 4.05% into the 2023-24 pay scales for resident doctors, marking a 13.2% salary increase compared to 2022-23. This could therefore shows us that the government's committed towards modernising and improving the NHS for the coming decades. 

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) Expansion Across China

As of 8th January 2025, Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been spreading rapidly across China. HMPV is a type of virus that is mainly spread from person to person during colder months, causing symptoms such as coughing, runny nose, sore throat, and headaches are very common. While HMPV can affect people of all ages, the virus can cause severe problems in young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals, people who have a weakened immune system. 

HMPV was first discovered in the Netherlands in 2001 and has been known to spread through direct human contact or contaminated surfaces.

One main problem when detecting HMPV is that it closely resembles the common cold, making it difficult to distinguish between the two.

So, when China reported a significant rise in HMPV cases in January of 2025, it caused people to be concerned that another pandemic, similar to COVID-19, could have been created. A common trend is that most cases were recorded in the Northern Provinces of China, which could be likely due to colder climates. However, the HMPV virus has not been regarded as extremely dangerous since the Chinese authorities, as of the 13th of February 2025, have not declared a national emergency or lockdown in response

Due to the outbreak in China, epidemiologist Jacqueline Stephens from Flinders University claims that “many countries in the Northern Hemisphere will experience a rise in HMPV cases” since the virus thrives during cold winter months.

To minimise the risk of contracting HMPV, using the same preventative measures for other respiratory illnesses has been advised to be taken. These include covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing to prevent the virus from spreading, coughing into the elbow rather than your hands, and washing hands while singing "God save the King”, as it is the optimum time to wash your hands while killing all the bacteria.

Finally, if you feel like you are experiencing symptoms of HMPV, try to book an appointment with a local GP to help book a test for HMPV early, as you do not want to suffer from the more serious symptoms of the virus.

UK Government Plans to Increase Medical School Intake from Next Year

In British society, getting into a medical school is considered highly prestigious but extremely competitive. As of January 2025, only around 10% of applicants secured a place, showing us how competitive it is to get a spot in a UK med school.

The advantage of high-level selectivity is it is able to produce highly skilled and well-trained doctors across the UK. However, the limited number of available places has also made it difficult for the government to recruit enough doctors to meet demand across the entire country.

Between September 2022 and September 2023, approximately 15,000 to 23,000 doctors left the NHS for several reasons, such as opportunities abroad, particularly in countries such as Australia, and for better-paid jobs in the private sector. According to an article published by the BMA (British Medical Association), it costs the NHS between £1.6 billion and £2.4 billion to replace the Doctors leaving NHS Yearly.

Doctors leave the NHS for various reasons, including low pay, long working hours, and better opportunities overseas. In response to large number of doctors leaving the UK government has planned a defence to help the NHS be saved. According to an article published on 3rd October 2023 by Mirage News, the government has announced a "fast-track medical school expansion" to increase funding and allow more students to study medicine in UK medical schools.

Recently established medical schools, such as Worcester Three Counties, Brunel, and Chester, have been given permission by the UK Government to expand their intake. Additionally, the northwest regions of the UK, who have a larger doctor shortage in the country, have been the first areas in the UK to have an increased amount of doctors training in the area to combat the low number of doctors.

As of today, the increase in medical school intake is being used in regions with the largest shortages of doctors. However, under the NHS "Long Term Workforce Plan", this expansion is expected to be nation-wide by the years 2030-2031. The plan aims to double the number of medical school places for people to study to become doctors, which is an effective strategy to combat the number of doctors leaving the NHS.

With the worldwide medical field developing at a faster rate by day, from the detection of new viruses to the creation of new vaccines or changes, the British Medical field must prioritise the dissemination of information. 

The medical field is constantly evolving day by day, so stay tuned for more updates on the “Future of Medicine Today”. 

By Namyo L., Aayush T., and David D.

POTENTIAL REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

Junior doctors are now 'resident doctors'. The BMA changed the title to better reflect their expertise and responsibilities. Read more

Resident doctors secure a pay increase. The UK government agreed to a 22.3% pay rise over two years to address long-standing concerns. Read more

HMPV cases are rising in China. A surge in respiratory infections, including HMPV, has been reported, mainly in the north. Read more

HMPV is not a new virus. First identified in 2001, it spreads in colder months and affects vulnerable groups. Read more

No pandemic threat from HMPV. Despite concerns, health officials confirm the virus is seasonal and not a new outbreak. Read more

UK medical schools to expand. The government plans to increase medical school intake to combat NHS doctor shortages. Read more