A quantitative analysis of resident composition within GP training practices across the UK.

BACKGROUND: Increasing workload in primary care has prompted an increase in general practice (GP) training places. These additional places have historically been filled by international medical graduates (IMGs); in 2025 52% of UK GP residents were IMGs. However, disparities in allocation to training practice may disadvantage IMGs thereby causing problems in training progression. AIM: To analyse the allocation of residents to GP training practices across the UK to determine whether this varies with socio-economic deprivation. DESIGN & SETTING: A quantitative analysis of data obtained from freedom of information (FOI) requests to UK bodies governing GP training. METHOD: Main outcome is composition of residents within training practice; classified as IMG-only, UK medical graduate (UKMG) -only or mixed. Variable of interest is Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile. RESULTS: We observed a 23% increase in number of UK GP training practices from 2020-2025. In this time, composition of residents shifted from predominantly UKMG-only to more mixed and IMG-only practices. Number of training practices serving the most deprived communities varied; 15% in England to 34% in Northern Ireland (NI). In England, Scotland and NI, IMG-only training practices were significantly more likely to be in areas of higher deprivation than UKMG-only practices. Prevalence of diabetes and COPD were higher in IMG-only compared to UKMG-only practices. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight the substantial contribution of IMGs to the UK primary care workforce from 2020-2025; however, we must acknowledge and address disparities in the allocation of GP training placements and further investigate impact on resident progression.