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19/10/26
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Clearing today’s NHS backlog must not come at the expense of tomorrow’s doctors

Drawing on ideas from his paper, From capacity to sustainability: Rethinking healthcare flow, published in the latest issue of the RCP journal Future Healthcare Journal, consultant surgeon Mr Mohamed Alkashty argues that reducing waiting lists must not come at the expense of workforce wellbeing or the time, supervision and opportunities needed to train the next generation of doctors.
Blog
19/10/26
Patients Holding Hands

Community by Design needs a workforce by design

Providing more care closer to home could transform healthcare in Wales. But, as RCP joint vice presidents for Wales Dr Ben Thomas and Professor Sam Rice argue, its success will depend on whether workforce planning, community services and hospital care can develop together.
News
19/10/26
Plaid Conference Main Stage Debate 2026

Workforce planning will be key to delivering Community by Design, says RCP Cymru Wales

RCP Cymru Wales has welcomed the Welsh government’s ambition to provide more care closer to home but warned that service redesign must be backed by continued investment in the medical workforce, digital infrastructure and hospital and specialist services.
News
16/10/26
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‘The glass ceiling is cracking’: SAS doctors share career development insights during SAS Week 2026 forum

Specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors from across the UK came together last week to discuss career development, leadership, autonomy and progression at an RCP SAS forum, held as part of SAS Week 2026.
Blog
14/10/26
Training Physician Toolkit 3

Training cannot be something that happens only when the NHS has time

Reflecting on the findings of the RCP’s report Training physicians for the future, resident doctors Dr Alice Cole and Dr Áine Corry argue that training can no longer be treated as something that happens around service delivery. In this next generation blog, they make the case for a training system built around protected learning time, continuity, high-quality supervision and the recognition that investing in training is ultimately an investment in patient care.
Blog
14/10/26
Training Physician Toolkit 4

Why protecting medical expertise matters for patients

Reflecting on the findings of the RCP’s report Training physicians for the future, Resident Doctor Committee (RDC) deputy chair Dr Max Thoburn argues that the future NHS depends on doctors developing both broad generalist capabilities and deep specialist expertise. In this next generation blog, he makes the case for protecting the opportunities to develop clinical judgement, procedural skills and decision-making that patients rely on when they are most in need within an ever more stretched NHS.
Blog
14/10/26
Training Physician Toolkit 2

There’s no single career pathway through medicine

Reflecting on the findings of the RCP’s report Training physicians for the future resident doctors Dr Laura Bannon and Dr Sacha Moore argue that postgraduate medical training has not kept pace with the realities of modern medicine. In this next generation blog, as more doctors pursue flexible careers, academic opportunities and non-linear training pathways, they make the case for a system that recognises capability wherever it is developed and prepares physicians for the future.
Blog
14/10/26
Training Physician Toolkit 2

The case for training reform has been made – it’s time for action

Reflecting on the findings of the RCP’s report Training physicians for the future, elected RCP councillor Dr Patrick Davey argues that the challenges facing postgraduate training are already well understood – the real test is whether the NHS can deliver meaningful change. In this next generation blog, he sets out why medical training must be protected, measured and prioritised across the system if the NHS is to provide the education that future doctors need.
Blog
14/10/26
Training Physician Toolkit 3

Good training should not depend on luck

Reflecting on the findings of the RCP’s report Training physicians for the future, resident doctors Dr Stephen Joseph and Dr Alexandra Pain argue that we know what good medical training looks like. The challenge is ensuring it is delivered consistently. In this next generation blog, they make the case for stronger accountability and a training system that is monitored, measured and improved with the same seriousness as patient safety, workforce and operational performance.