The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has responded to the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill completing its passage through UK parliament. The legislation will now proceed to Royal Assent and become law.
The Bill introduces a new statutory requirement to prioritise UK medical graduates for postgraduate training places. Through its next generation campaign, the RCP has repeatedly highlighted rising competition ratios and called for action to bring them down to sustainable levels. The uncertainty faced by resident doctors who feel increasingly concerned about their career prospects must be addressed.
Professor Mumtaz Patel, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said:
‘The passing of this legislation should help to bring down escalating competition ratios for foundation and specialty training, improve fairness in recruitment and recognise significant taxpayer investment in UK medical school graduates. It is a welcome step forward following sustained campaigning from the RCP.
‘The contributions of international medical graduates (IMGs), who play a vital role in the NHS, must be recognised and valued. IMGs must be treated fairly and properly supported with their career progression. We welcome the legislation specifying that for 2027 onwards, those who have “significant NHS experience” will also be prioritised alongside UK medical graduates and other priority groups. UK government must set out how it will work with us to define "significant NHS experience” and communicate a swift timeline for agreeing that definition.
'This legislation is welcome, but there’s more to be done. We need a long-term commitment to expand specialty training posts based on population need, an increase in educator and supervisor capacity, and investment in flexible career pathways if we are serious about valuing and retaining physicians in the NHS.’