Training physicians for the future: a blueprint for reforming postgraduate medical training (RCP, 14 October 2026)

Summary

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has published a new report setting out a blueprint for reforming postgraduate medical training across the UK.

Training physicians for the future: a blueprint for reforming postgraduate medical training calls for medical education to become a visible, protected and accountable part of NHS delivery.

Content

High-quality postgraduate medical training is fundamental to safe and effective patient care. The resident doctors training today will become the consultants, clinical leaders, educators and researchers on whom patients and health services will depend in the future.

However, medical training is under significant pressure. Service demands can crowd out education, access to training opportunities is inconsistent and resident doctors do not always receive the supervision, support and flexibility they need to develop their skills and progress in their careers.

The report calls on governments, NHS organisations, education bodies, regulators and employers across the UK to work together to establish clear accountability, strengthen quality assurance and ensure improvements are implemented consistently. Its recommendations include:

• postgraduate medical education to become a standing part of trust and health board governance, with named executive and non-executive responsibility

• transparent measures of training quality, reviewed at least every 6 months by named organisational and regional leaders

• clear improvement plans and escalating intervention where organisations repeatedly fail to provide an acceptable training environment

• greater transparency about how funding intended for medical education is used

• sufficient staffing levels to protect training from service pressures and protected time for educational supervisors and trainers to provide high-quality education

• an expansion in doctor training capacity to address career bottlenecks and meet future workforce needs.

It says that resident doctors and their educational supervisors should have protected time for learning, observation, feedback and reflection, supported by staffing levels that enable education to take place without compromising patient care. Skills developed through research, leadership, education and locally employed roles should be recognised consistently, while national standards, examinations and minimum clinical experience must continue to protect patient safety.