On Tuesday 13 January, the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill was introduced to Parliament. The Bill sets out plans to introduce a system of prioritisation for the allocation of medical training places, whereby UK medical graduates applying for foundation and specialty training will be prioritised.
HCSA, the Hospital Doctors' Union, supports and welcomes the principle of four‑nation prioritisation of training posts for all UK‑trained medical graduates. Ensuring that those who have trained within the UK are given fair access to the next stage of their medical careers will help retain our domestically educated workforce and uphold consistent educational standards across the NHS.
We also welcome the fact that the Bill does not exclude international medical graduates (IMGs). IMGs make an essential contribution to the NHS, and it is vital that any changes to recruitment processes continue to recognise their value and ensure fairness.
Timeline and Parliamentary Process
According to NHS England and the UK Foundation Programme Office, the Bill has now been introduced to Parliament and is currently progressing through the legislative process. The explanatory notes confirm that the Bill was introduced on 13 January 2026. As with all primary legislation, it must pass through multiple stages in both Houses before receiving Royal Assent. No final date for completion has yet been published, and it is important to note that some details may change as the Bill progresses.
NHS England states that the Bill is intended to apply to Foundation Programme and specialty recruitment from 2026 onwards, with the aim of restoring more manageable competition ratios and ensuring UK graduates can progress to full GMC registration. The UK Foundation Programme Office also confirms that the legislation is intended to affect 2026 recruitment cycles, subject to parliamentary approval.
Training Places and Workforce Shortages
While the Bill addresses the allocation of training posts, it does not increase the number of training places. NHS England notes that competition for specialty training has risen sharply from around 12,000 applicants in 2019 to nearly 40,000 in 2026, highlighting the scale of the current mismatch between supply and demand.
HCSA remains clear that prioritisation alone will not resolve the underlying shortage of training posts or the wider shortage of doctors. Long‑term workforce planning, expansion of training capacity, and improved retention strategies remain essential, alongside the key priorities we set out in our previous article.
While the Bill does not address the shortage of doctors or the limited number of training places, it represents a step in the right direction and signals that the Government is beginning to take seriously the concerns raised by resident doctors about fair access to training and career progression.
For further details, please see the information provided by the Department of Health and NHS England.