Some of the UK's largest hospital trusts have effectively barred private-school pupils who want to be doctors from undertaking vital NHS work experience.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal that official schemes at world-famous London hospitals, including Barts and University College London Hospital (UCLH), are only open to local state schools.
Meanwhile King's College Hospital Trust, which includes King's College Hospital – one of the largest teaching hospitals – gives 'priority to those not attending a private school', as does South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.
Last night critics accused the NHS of discrimination and being 'infected by Labour's vendetta against independent education'.
The British Medical Association strongly advises pupils who want to be doctors that they need clinical work experience to even be considered for a medical degree.
