The trust is taking a structured, people-centred approach to improving resident doctors’ working lives – tackling everything from rotas and payroll to training and professional development.

Workforce and Medical Staffing teams actively monitor rota gaps, leave requests, and staffing pressures, with issues escalated quickly through established governance processes so problems don’t linger. Resident doctor feedback is gathered through a dedicated forum and staff surveys, with outcomes and actions fed directly back through forum meetings and local communications — closing the loop and demonstrating that views are heard and acted upon.

Payroll reconciliation and error-checking processes are in place to minimise inaccuracies, with clear support routes signposted through Medical Staffing and induction. Mandatory training has been mapped across rotations to cut duplication and improve efficiency, saving resident doctors time and reducing unnecessary repetition. Eligible course and examination fees are reimbursed, making professional development more accessible and removing a financial barrier that can hold doctors back.

Looking ahead, the trust is recruiting a new chair of the Resident Doctors’ Forum, combining the role with leadership of the NHS England 10 Point Plan. This will strengthen engagement, provide a clear and consistent route for feedback, and ensure resident doctors remain central to the trust’s ongoing improvement work.