Getting the basics right for resident doctors: 10 Point Plan

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The 75,000 resident doctors working across the NHS are the backbone of the service – but too often they are let down on basic issues like payroll errors, poor rota management, lack of access to rest facilities and hot food, and unnecessarily repeating training.

Supported by our commitment to staff under the 10 Year Health Plan for England, NHS England is setting out 10 ways in which we are improving resident doctors working conditions over the next 12 weeks.

This plan sets out actions for NHS England and individual trusts. To ensure meaningful progress, it will be formally incorporated into the new NHS Oversight Framework.

Spring update and board assurance framework (April 2026)

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Summary

On 2 April 2026, National Medical Director Prof Meghana Pandit wrote to NHS trusts to provide the latest progress update on the resident doctor 10 Point Plan Programme.

Accessible content.

Published 23 April 2026.

Summary

This Board assurance framework was sent to NHS trusts alongside the communication from Prof Meghana Pandit above.

Published 23 April 2026.

Minimum standards for annual leave for resident doctors

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These minimum standards support delivery of point 3 of the NHS 10 point plan to improve resident doctors’ working lives.

Resident doctors must be able to take annual leave in a fair and equitable way which enables wellbeing. It is vital that leave is allocated in a way that meets individual needs while maintaining service delivery.

Accessible content. First published 1 April 2026.

Winter update (January 2026)

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Summary

On 23 January 2026 National Medical Director Prof Meghana Pandit wrote to NHS Trusts to set out progress made under the resident doctor 10 Point Plan Programme.

Accessible content.

Published 28 January 2026.

10 Point Plan and letter from Sir Jim Mackey and Prof Meghana Pandit (August 2025)

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10 Point Plan

Accessible content. Published 29 August 2025.

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Summary

Letter from Sir Jim Mackey, Chief Executive Officer, NHS England and Professor Meghana Pandit, National Medical Director, NHS England.

Accessible content. Published 29 August 2025.