The British Medical Association (BMA) wants up to 1,000 new places at British medical schools. There are huge shortages of GPs and a range of specialists including paediatrics, anaesthetics and forensic medicine, according to a BMA spokesperson.

Even greater shortages are anticipated since large numbers of Asian doctors recruited in the Sixties are now coming up to retirement. According to the spokesperson, the regulations have changed and Britain can no longer recruit doctors trained in Asia.

The British government has agreed to create 1,000 new places and this will mean the creation of "at least one new medical school," the spokesperson says. Irish students could benefit.

Bids have been invited from universities to provide extra places. At least one university has suggested offering a shortened postgraduate programme for people with appropriate qualifications.

Medicine as a postgraduate programme is also being discussed here by the Points Commission. Martin Newell, Central Applications Office secretary, has suggested in his submission to the Commission that medicine become a postgraduate programme. Anyone hoping to join the healthcare professions would first do an undergraduate degree in health sciences and could then apply for a four-year medical programme.