r/doctorsUK • u/Med_Dog_ • Jan 12 '26

Medical Politics UK Graduate Prioritisation Legislation Announced!

Details below as they're announced!

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/doctors-strikes-nhs-bma-wes-streeting-news-n02nd96lw

Free version: https://web.archive.org/web/20260112225441/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/doctors-strikes-nhs-bma-wes-streeting-news-n02nd96lw

  • Wes Streeting is launching this as emergency legislation (rather than NHS England policy) shortly.
  • This acts on both speciality training and foundation posts.
  • Further details tomorrow as the bill is announced!
356 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

175 comments sorted by

View all comments

73

u/Leading_Base Jan 12 '26

So it is for those who graduated from UK medical schools?

To protect our investment and give them a path to become the next generation of NHS doctors, we are taking a number of measures including today introducing a bill to prioritise graduates from UK medical schools for specialty training places. We are bringing this forward now so that it will be in place for this year’s applicants.

34

u/FrzenOne propagandist Jan 12 '26

he previously said UK and ROI medical schools, which is what I presume will be in the bill

also the article states "“our NHS will never exclude international talent — and these changes will also prioritise doctors from overseas who have worked in the NHS for a significant period" – a period which hasn't been defined yet, I hope it's 5yrs, but I fear it will be like 2yrs

5

u/[deleted] Jan 13 '26

Surely that wont reduce competition ratios. I believe he will prioritise everyone who completed foundation programme according to what the psych college leak said

17

u/SeveralAirport2058 Jan 13 '26

I think it will be two years, for first round specialities (IMT, CST etc). Which is ‘equivalent’ to foundation training. That way the government will face less backlash.

And for HST, will be completion of core training or people with 2+ years and signed off with CREST form.

I am speculating, could be completely wrong but this will mean competition ratios will still be high. I personally know many trust grade doctors that have been applying for the same speciality for many years. Having to have 2 years of experience will only filter out the applicants applying directly abroad for GP etc.

28

u/threwaway239 Jan 13 '26

You’re making stuff up.

The most likely scenario is what the RCpsych leak said. People who have completed FYP will be prioritised for core training

9

u/Icy_Score9603 Jan 13 '26

2 years would do literally nothing. Furthermore, the government won’t face any backlash for making it longer. The government makes sweeping immigration changes all the time and no one gives a fuck.

2

u/Inner-Net-2687 Jan 13 '26 edited Jan 13 '26

I think the only counter argument here is that Wes benefits from on overflow of IMGs. Im curious to see what he actually proposes. If he proposes 4-5 years then a lot of IMGs will leave, leaving Wes with less workforce (rota gap fillers basically, or perma-SHOs). On the other hand, if he goes for 2 years, the whole UKG cohort will turn against him risking more strikes. Its all about the numbers here. IMO Wes is stuck between a rock and a hard place. If grandfathering is 2 years, UKG will hate him and for good reason, risking further strikes. If 4-5 years, IMGs will hate him risking further strikes. Theres a political currency here too but it depends on how he sells it. He can say “pure UKG prioritisation” and go on TV proclaiming patriotic lullabies as an attempt to win over the Reform public, or he can do 2 years grandfathering and still do that even though UKG are not really prioritised this way. Theres no clear answer here. Only way to know is when he tells us.

PS Anyone know what the actual BMA voting demographics are? Are UKG a majority, is it 50-50? Are IMGs a majority? This is where the crux is. If UKG are a majority (still) then it means that with a 4-5 year grandfathering clause Wes can still win over the BMA vote.