Although an increasing number of women have entered the profession over the last 20 years, relatively few have reached senior leadership positions.
To correct this imbalance, the National Working Group on Women in Medicine’s report ‘Women Doctors: Making a Difference’ proposes improving access to childcare and support for carers.
It also suggests improving access to mentoring and career advice. And it says that the bodies responsible for medical workforce planning should take greater account of the profession's increasingly female profile.
England's Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson, who first identified the problem in his 2006 annual report, said he would ensure the DoH considered the recommendations.
Government calls for more women at top of medical profession
Government should improve access to childcare and introduce part-time medical training to improve the gender balance at the top of the medical profession, government advisors have said.
