Mike Penning yesterday condemned the situation where thousands of qualified, NHS-trained doctors are unable to find positions and are being forced to leave the NHS.

The MP was speaking in the debate following the Secretary of Health, Patricia Hewitt’s statement updating MPs on the security breaches that occurred in the Medical Training Application Service (MTAS). Ms Hewitt had been forced to make a statement to the House when personal details of applicants had been posted on MTAS website.

Mike Penning told MPs:

“The BMA said this morning that 34,250 doctors were trying to find posts, but that only 18,500 posts were available. The BMA also said that the vast majority—two thirds—of those doctors will not stay in the NHS. This is a crazy situation.”

He added: “We need those doctors to stay in the NHS—they have been paid for by taxpayers’ money—but under this Secretary of State’s leadership, if we can call it that, there is massive distrust in the system.”

Speaking after the debate Mike Penning said:

“This security breach – on top of widespread distrust in the online application system – only adds to the problems facing junior doctors. It is ludicrous that our NHS has managed to train thousands more doctors than it can find jobs for. The management of the training for our junior doctors has become a farce.

“These young people have dedicated years to train in a difficult and responsible profession – only to find that they are not wanted when they graduate. What kind of message does that send?”

“The medical profession – let alone the public – have no confidence in the Secretary of State’s leadership of the NHS. It is clearly time for her to resign.”