Postgraduate medical training review

The postgraduate medical training review is a nationwide initiative overseen by NHS England’s National Medical Director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis and the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty.

This process begins with an extensive programme of engagement and listening to ensure that doctors, educators, patients and NHS leaders have the opportunity to shape medical training for the future.

Why this matters

Resident doctors provide expert, compassionate care across a wide range of services every day. And as the NHS changes to meet the needs of our population, training requirements for our staff must evolve and change too.

It is essential that training for resident doctors is high quality, fit for the modern NHS, and provides doctors with the skills they need to meet the evolving needs of our patients.

Resident doctors who currently work in the NHS have made it clear that they have concerns and frustrations with their training experience. We are also aware of the needs of the increasing numbers of doctors in locally employed posts in NHS trusts and the specialty and specialist workforce. As the people responsible for training doctors, there is much more the NHS and our partners can do collectively to improve their learning and working experience in the NHS.

We are committed to listening, addressing concerns, and improving the training pathway for the medical workforce and the benefit of NHS services and patients.

By listening to everyone’s views we can effectively plan to:

  • improve the working lives of resident doctors
  • enhance career progression and flexibility
  • support resident doctors in delivering the highest standard of patient care

Engagement activities and key events

This programme will run through to June 2025, with findings reported in the summer. The engagement programme includes:

  • national listening events
  • focus groups and roundtables
  • regional engagement events
  • call for evidence

More details on opportunities to get involved will be shared soon.