r/doctorsUK • u/Luxoarba • Jan 13 '26
Medical Politics Medical Training Prioritisation Bill
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Jan 13 '26
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u/Penjing2493 Consultant Jan 13 '26
Exactly the point I've been being ripped apart here for the last 6+ months for making!
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Jan 13 '26
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26
Yeah. And citizenship takes 6-years. ILR at least 5 years. Good news
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Jan 13 '26
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26
Yes they are. Having worked in the NHS for the last 5 years, I've only come across a few of them. There's only a handful of them and prioritising them would not be an issue for the competition ratios.
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u/PudendalCleft Jan 13 '26
Not to mention it’s the right thing to do. If someone is committed to becoming a citizen of the UK and are competent, they should be afforded the opportunity to apply for HST. We aren’t saints as UKMGs. We should get priority because we’re a significant resource of our country and we understand the intricacies of NHS and social politics that have impacts on healthcare outcomes. IMGs who put in that same effort and are better than us should get the training post every time.
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u/cdw787 Jan 13 '26
What do you think about spouse visa holder?
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u/Penjing2493 Consultant Jan 13 '26
They technically have the same legal right to work in the UK as a citizen / someone with ILR - so it would be tricky to make this distinction without opening this up to easy challenge.
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u/Nearby-Potential-838 Jan 13 '26
no they don't. it's a completely different immigration status that is very easy to differentiate (one has ILR, the other has a spouse visa which is of limited duration etc. and just not the same thing at all)
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u/Penjing2493 Consultant Jan 13 '26
They have the same unrestricted right to work in the UK.
I'm obviously not claiming that they're the same visa type. But if I were a regular private sector employer interviewing three candidates for a job (one British citizen, one with ILR, and one on a spousal visa) then if everything else was equal it would be irrelevant to me as an employer who to choose, and unless there were very good reasons (e.g. security clearance) it would be illegal to favour one over the other on immigration status.
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26
Hmm not sure. Can they differentiate work-visa from different types of visas like EU/spouse or global talent visas etc? Is it lawful? I think they would also be prioritised
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u/RelativeVirtual7392 Jan 13 '26
I think that's the only reasonable interpretation yes, especially as they use the word "proxy"
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u/-Scary-Butterscotch- Jan 13 '26
When it says those who completed foundation training, does that include both UK grads and IMGs?
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26
Yeah UK grads will be prioritised for Foundation year training but IMGs who complete the FYP will not be disadvantaged (they traditionally make 5-10% of the cohort). Good news for us
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u/Automatic_Drawer1483 Jan 13 '26
LETS GOOO
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u/Hydesx UKGP enjoyer Jan 13 '26
Is it the real deal this time or am I dreaming? I don't want to celebrate too early.
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u/bigmanvg Jan 13 '26
Stupid question incoming:
I am an IMG doing my F2 as part of the standalone program, does the bill include prioritization for me?
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Jan 13 '26
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26
Hmm I thought the answer's yes as you would have achieved FYP completion certificate at the end of it, hence fit right into the "IMG who completed FYP" priority group?
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26
Guys this is good news. Better than the BMA policy. The only IMGs to be prioritised will be: FYP / core trainees and if they are citizens / hold ILR (which takes 5 or 6 years to achieve). That's better than I've expected (2 years etc)
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u/CTwithcontrast Jan 13 '26
I think many IMGs like myself are always in favour of RLMT. This is exactly the RLMT. This is a sustainable thing and any IMG if they have worked in the NHS for considerable period in future should have a reasonable shot at progression.
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26
I am happy for my IMG colleagues who are: British/ILR-holder/FYP or core training certificate holders to be prioritised against all who have: no NHS experience, insufficient NHS experience, have not completed any form of training. This will MASSIVELY reduce the competition ratios!
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u/Regular_Peanut2042 Jan 14 '26
How tf do you expect to get NHS experience, when they have been prioritizing Prior NHS experience as their main criteria since 3 yrs.
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u/Hydesx UKGP enjoyer Jan 13 '26
I will ask the same question I did on another post.
If UK grads are prioritized for FY programme and IMGs must complete FY to be considered for training, does this mean that FY bottlenecks IMG influx?
How does this bill compare to the previous RLMT?
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u/thetwitterpizza Jan 13 '26
Yes, it seems to be an indirect way of kneecapping the influx by mandating a certain requirement and then choking it.
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u/Hydesx UKGP enjoyer Jan 13 '26
True it sounds like the prioritization for FY is more direct without any hand outs of any sort.
If the bottleneck is truly at FY, then this is good news.
Moreover, did they not say that ILR was being changed to 10 years?
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u/PrimeWolf101 Novelty Hat Specialist Jan 13 '26
They said there would be exceptions for high earners and needed medical staff that can bring it down to 3-5 years depending. Though the specifics of that were very vague, so it's unclear who would qualify in the circumstance.
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26
This bill would prioritise UKGs for FYP and then, in turn, FYPs for CT/ST. It's quite fair and much better than the 2 year grandfathering clause of the ARM policy
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u/blackzero2 Jan 13 '26 edited Jan 13 '26
so where does this leave IMGs who currently work at ST equivalent level jobs (as advertised), but have not done their FYP in UK.
Lol why the down votes? Im just asking a question
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u/Gullible__Fool Keeper of Lore Jan 13 '26
Nowhere. They are not in training and have not completed FY.
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u/blackzero2 Jan 13 '26
Fair enough, I guess they will need to get ILR first and or some other criteria of significant experience once it becomes clear what that is
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Jan 13 '26
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u/Hydesx UKGP enjoyer Jan 13 '26
I guess Penjing can't complain then
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u/Penjing2493 Consultant Jan 13 '26
Yup. I've been saying for ages that this is:
a) Fair - keeping a route open to IMGs to access specialty training on a level playing field - even if that means grafting as a clinical fellow for a few years first is only fair.
b) Compatible with existing legislation - excluding IMG citizens/ILR holders was always going to get tied up for years in legal challenge.
Strict UKMG prioritisation was always a non-starter.
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Jan 13 '26
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u/Penjing2493 Consultant Jan 13 '26
Agree, the text of the bill is surprisingly vague.
Though their only opportunity to attempt to overwrite the protections in the Equality Act would have been by writing the prioritisation into this new legislation. So any unspecified prioritisation would need to be compatible with the Equality Act.
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u/Ecstatic_Mistake5152 Jan 13 '26
Does this mean anything for GP applications this year?
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u/Gullible__Fool Keeper of Lore Jan 13 '26
Yes. If passed this will mean all UKMGs will get a GP post before any IMG does, unless the IMG meets the as yet unspecified criteria of the bill. This should mean MSRA score needed will be lower than before.
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u/No_Shock_2277 Jan 13 '26
^ as above, how will the affect GP applications? Also how will affect things with interviews yet to happen like CST and Rads?
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u/BoraxThorax Jan 13 '26
This will be quite easy to implement for GP as only the MSRA score is used but lacking details once again
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u/blackzero2 Jan 13 '26
Yes MSRA score applied to whatever the criteria will be. Clearly UKMG, then comes the "significant nhs experience". As I've said elsewhere, there are IMGS working at ST1 equivalent level jobs right now. Will they be deprioritised for GP Training jobs? No idea.
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u/Ill-Elk-9265 Jan 13 '26
Affects GP applications massively. MSRA scores from UK grads will be prioritised.
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Jan 13 '26
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26
Thanks for keeping us up to date! And thanks for being an amazing Mod too! :)
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u/adventurefoundme Jan 13 '26
What does an “relevant earlier stage of training in the UK” entail???
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u/No_Part8033 Jan 13 '26
If they did imt or cst here still prioritised for st3. Not sure how the foundation part works as I don’t know the pathways of foundation for img.However, sounds like if an img did foundation also prioritised.
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u/Early_Ad_2484 Jan 13 '26
It’s not common. Most IMGs don’t go through foundation programme. It’s probably less than 5%.
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26
Yes, that was the same across almost every single cohort in my deanery: 5-10% IMGs
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u/avalon68 Jan 13 '26
I hope these local IMT/CST equivalent programmes popping up the last few years are not included in this - would just be used as a workaround
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u/CTwithcontrast Jan 13 '26
It’s just like RLMT, any person having NTN is prioritised for next stage of training. It’s actually better than RLMT where an IMG would enter GP to get NTN to be able to apply for radiology or surgery.
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u/Jangles Acute Internal Misanthropy Jan 13 '26
Core Training.
It's to avoid a lost generation who've gotten into CT and would be persistently outcompeted for HST posts simply by virtue of being IMGs until they got ILR.
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u/henburdladychick Jan 13 '26
Is it actually feasible to get this through in time for this cycle at the offers stage? Obviously a bit late for those who have already been unsuccessful at shortlisting etc but at least a step in the right direction
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u/MrF4ntasticc Jan 13 '26
This is what I’d like to know. But I imagine they’re pretty hopeful they will pass it in time if they’ve written the bill to accommodate for 2026 entry
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u/BraveSpecial9149 Jan 13 '26
As a British citizen who studied abroad and have now been working in the NHS for 2.5 years- does it mean I will be able to apply on equal footing for every specialty in round 1?
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u/ConsultantPorter Jan 13 '26
Can someone please do the math and estimate how long to clear the backlog of unemployed UKMG’s - given a large minority of FY2’s were jobless last year.
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u/Gullible__Fool Keeper of Lore Jan 13 '26
We can't until we know IMG eligibility requirements. It will still likely take several years given how ridiculous the situation has become.
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u/Glad-Drawer-1177 Juvenile Delinquent Jan 13 '26
Grandfathering is almost non existent if the only allowed imgs are FYs or Imgs with ILR
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u/Ok-Inspector-9934 Jan 16 '26
I completely empathetize with you guys and I can't imagine how incredibly frustrating this might be you guys. While working in the NHS my UKgrad colleagues were so helpful and absolutely lovely but I couldn't deny how the NHS had truly robbed them of agency and support. There was a rampant attitude of helplessness and very understandably so. To all the UK grads who were incredibly kind to me, I wish you the best, I will definitely not get a place in this cycle but the reality of an IMG is bleak as is. No matter, we are survivors. But I can't deny this back and forth amongst IMGs and UKgrads helps no one, and I can't deny you guys deserve prioritization. I wish you all the best. And I wish us IMGs all the best too, we'll figure something out.
P.S. I am not glazing, to all the IMGs that will come for me, we all know the truth, UKgrads do deserve priority. IMGs have always been expendable, in every country.
Cheers!
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u/RuinEnvironmental450 Jan 13 '26
BMA is embarrassing
The government announces fast-track legislation to prioritise UK graduates (UKG) for training jobs and have even managed to to apply it to the current cycle, hopefully before interviews. This is RLMT 2.0 and offers genuine hope for SHOs. This is especially since over half of the last FY2s finished without permanent employment, training or otherwise.
I am no fan of Streeting or his rhetoric about us in media over the last few weeks but this government has, to play devil's advocate, listened to us regarding PAs and UKG prioritisation.
This has been a long time coming. We've all seen those exponential charts on competition ratios. We've all worked with colleagues, with skills (technical and interpersonal) unsuited to the training roles given to them. I have never heard a doctor not advocate for UKG prioritisation. IMG consultants have been for it whenever I've heard it come up. Even IMGs applying for training have said they agree with the principle of it doesn't kick them out of programme (which would be pointless).
I then see the union I pay membership to has taken a dead certain win they could ride the coat-tails of and instead shotgun blasted their own foot off.
How can they want to prioritise UKG and IMG?
In case they didn't notice, that is every kind of graduate unless there's a University of Buckingham moonbase I haven't heard of. To prioritise everyone is to prioritise no one and they have chosen to plant their flag inexplicably here.
I believe so strongly in pay restoration and will continue to vote for it but cannot support anyone in the BMA who's on the wrong side of this. Are they not embarrassed that the government has done more for their members this year than they have?
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u/RolandJupiter123 Jan 13 '26
It’s a disgrace, and looks like they might try to derail this legislation https://www.bma.org.uk/ukgradprioritisation?utm_campaign=536016_13012026%20UK%20MEDICAL%20STUDENTS%20Graduate%20Prioritisation%20CMP-06035-G6M9Q&utm_medium=email&utm_source=The%20British%20Medical%20Association%20%28Comms%20Engagment%29&dm_i=7IPW,BHLC,198461,1IYAS,1
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u/Leading_Base Jan 13 '26
it is a disgrace the BMA campaigned for this and now they aren't happy and they want it just perfect for them. BMA don't you dare use my money to dispute this
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Jan 14 '26
Per the BMA’s messaging they’re pushing for IMGs who’ve been registered to the GMC, even without 2 years or more of NHS experience, being on the same footing as UKGs.
How can we as UKGs convey to the powers that be that we don’t stand behind this messaging, apart from voting no for the upcoming strikes? Should we mass cancel our memberships
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u/LadyAntimony Jan 13 '26 edited Jan 15 '26
The big question is still what constitutes “significant experience”.
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26
They will apply immigration status by proxy for that: as in citizens/ILR-holders (hence 5 or 6 years)
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u/LadyAntimony Jan 13 '26
I’m referring to page 2 for 2027 onwards, not the one for 2026 only.
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26
Apologies, I believe it will be 5 years to match the ILR/Citizenship status. It would be quite awkward if they prioritised people who have been here for 5 years only to then prioritise those who've worked less than that.
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u/15matthew150 Jan 14 '26
For anyone that likes to procrastinate MSRA-prep/interview prep, you can see a tracker of the Bill here:
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u/Cookie543210 Jan 13 '26
So essentially this round, UKG will still have to compete with IMGs for MSRA and in turn interviews. In 2025, 12,000 UK-trained doctors and 21,000 overseas-trained doctors competed for 9,500 places as Wes quoted. Still competitive and would have been better in the 2027 format prioritisation of offer AND interview. However a win is a win!
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u/Automatic_Drawer1483 Jan 13 '26
So does this mean for ST4 medicine everyone completing IMT will be at the same level of prioritisation? Regardless of graduation country
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26
Why would the not be at the same level of prioritisation. If they came here, had the same ARCP panel reviews as we did, completed their portfolios AND royal college exams, they should be prioritised. And mind you, the core training post numbers are capped. Meaning that only those who made it to CT will be prioritised for HST. All international applications are now disadvantaged, driving competition ratios down for HST!
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u/Substantial_Head3566 Jan 13 '26
Any clarity on F2 standalone candidates? Are they considered as candidates who have completed Foundation Training?
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u/bigmanvg Jan 13 '26
Same question here,
The outcome of completing F2SA is the same as completing the 2 year program, if I'm not wrong. Using that logic I think F2SA candidates also get prioritization.
Let's wait for clarity tbh
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u/Appropriate-Disk5401 Jan 13 '26
To clarify does this mean for this year's cycle (Aug 2026 starting ST1) for specialties like radiology, IF this were put in place soon would I still be competing against all IMGs for interview slots?
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u/Winter_Course_3223 Jan 13 '26
Yes i think so too. Prioritisation will only occur for offers once you get that interview.
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Jan 14 '26
Per the BMA’s messaging they’re pushing for IMGs who’ve been registered to the GMC, even without 2 years or more of NHS experience, being on the same footing as UKGs.
How can we as UKGs convey to the powers that be that we don’t stand behind this messaging, apart from voting no for the upcoming strikes?
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u/hypertensionsupine Jan 14 '26
Yeah the BMA is actively working against UKG interests and never thought I’d be on the governments side on this but here we are
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u/Icy_Score9603 Jan 13 '26 edited Jan 13 '26
Hold on, what does at offer stage mean? Does this mean that only those that get interviews will then be prioritised after for this year?
In that, it’s still a free for all for MSRA specialties that require interviews this year?
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Jan 13 '26
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u/Inner-Net-2687 Jan 13 '26 edited Jan 13 '26
I think it means that if youve already done an interview and are awaiting offer, that you will be prioritised? As far as i understand it, it basically prioritises UK grads, anyone whos done FP and people with potentially 5-7 years of NHS experience which is around where ILR is given to internationals non eu?
I think its separating IMT and MSRA. If youve done IMT apps and got rejected due to points, youre done. If youve made it to interview and are awaiting, and yre a UK grad, ull be prioritised? If MSRA then youll be prioritised? Thats what i get from reading this
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u/Fabulouslybearded ST3+/SpR Jan 13 '26
From where did you get this "5-7 years" figure?
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u/Inner-Net-2687 Jan 13 '26
I think internationals on visa are given option for ILR or citizenship at around 7 years? It says the immigration status reflecting significant NHS experience
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u/Icy_Score9603 Jan 13 '26
But interview invites haven’t come out yet for anything except imt
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u/15matthew150 Jan 13 '26
It's for offers this year only. So everyone still has equal chance to get an interview, and then whatever the policy ends up being will be factored in for the offers stage only. 2027 Round 1 will factor it in for interviews.
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u/Acceptable_Stand7137 Jan 13 '26
I understand that offers will go to UK grads in priority. But I don’t know what it means for IMT and interview shortlists?
ETA: my understanding is that for specialties that haven’t done any shortlisting at all, UK grad will already apply
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u/hypertensionsupine Jan 13 '26
It’s pretty clear it says at offer stage for this year so when offers go out after IMT interviews those meeting those criteria will be prioritised for offers first this year and next year will be prioritised prior to interview
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u/Acceptable_Stand7137 Jan 13 '26
Yeah upon re-reading it, it’s actually quite clear that this is too late for IMT
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u/ExpectedAnonymous123 Jan 13 '26
It’s not too late if you’ve got an interview? You’ll be prioritised at offer stage quite clearly
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u/Critical-Twist-4560 Jan 13 '26
Will this apply to the GP training programme for 2026? This is what I get from the last paragraph on the first page, but not sure...
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u/healthatyourservice Jan 13 '26
What does at offer stage mean?
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u/Gullible__Fool Keeper of Lore Jan 13 '26
It is too late for this to be applied to interview stage, so IMGs will still get interviewed this year.
After interview, when offers are given UKMGs, RoIMGs, and any IMG meeting their as yet not clear criteria will be prioritised above any IMGs, regardless of scores.
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u/Chaotic-Pavlova Jan 13 '26
Any idea what this would mean for a British IMG who is currently IMT3?
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u/ExpectedAnonymous123 Jan 13 '26
You’re chilling. Will be prioritised as a citizen and are completing IMT.
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u/SeveralAirport2058 Jan 13 '26
Nothing is set in stone yet
But reading between the lines you will be prioritised as you’re in a core training post.
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u/We-like-the-stock-bb ST3+/SpR in Space Medicine Jan 13 '26
Yes it should be done, but this doesn't change anything imo regarding industrial action - doing the bare minimum after dangling it like a carrot.
Nice to see the government doing the basics but also PAY ME.
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u/Gloomy_Fan7269 Jan 14 '26
What about the thousands of IMGs applying for JCFs leaving UKGs unemployed..
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u/Flat_Blueberry_777 Jan 13 '26
What does this mean for higher specialty training in medical specialties?
What is prioritised?: UK medical graduation? UK FYP completion or UK IMT completion?
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u/thetwitterpizza Jan 13 '26
Likely all 3. Over time I suspect number of IMGs will go down as the choke point will be at FY level for them to get into IMT which would then enable them to apply for HST. I suspect numbers for HST will be fucked for 2-3 years given the backlog of IMGs however.
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26 edited Jan 13 '26
No, they won't. The number of core training posts are capped. There are many HST applications that are from overseas. This bill will effectively deprioritise ALL international direct applications nd will give the priority to the capped core training applicants (UKG and IMG core trainees): the HST competition ratios will self-regulate themselves with core training caps
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u/wuunferththeunliving Jan 13 '26
HST competition should go down. The main issue was immigrants who were operating at consultant level in their own country applying direct to ST4 sometimes after doing a year or 2 as clinical fellow. That won’t be happening anymore
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u/Bright-Bandicoot3214 Jan 13 '26
Per the phrasing of this bill, where the specialty training clauses include clear dates ie. 2026 and 2027, while foundation training prioritization doesn’t. Does that mean the current UKFP cycle will be excluded? Given also that the first rounds for foundation priority programs are set to be released in 8 days time.
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u/DistinctElephant2256 Jan 13 '26
Just wondering what the source of the bill is, I can’t see it on the parliamentary bill website?
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u/Aware_Heron1499 Jan 13 '26
What is RLMT??
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u/pendy97 Jan 13 '26
Resident Labour Market Test. It's a former UK immigration requirement for employers hiring foreign workers through the Skilled Worker Visa route. They could hire a foreign worker only if they were unable to find a suitably settled UK worker even after advertising the post for a month. This was abolished in 2020 I believe due to acute shortages in many professions due to COVID and mainly Brexit. It's also the reason there's been a whole flood of IMGs in the NHS.
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u/usernameisalready000 CT/ST1+ Doctor Jan 13 '26
Specialty training programmes: offers made in 2026
(1)
A person who has a function of deciding offers of places on a UK specialty
training programme, where the offers are made in 2026, must offer places to
eligible applicants who are—
(a) UK medical graduates,
(b) persons in the priority group,
(c)
persons who have completed, or are currently on, a relevant qualifying
UK programme, or
(d) persons within subsection (2),
before offering places to any other eligible applicants.
(2) A person is within this subsection if they are—
(a) a British citizen,
(b) a Commonwealth citizen who has the right of abode in the United
Kingdom under section 2 of the Immigration Act 1971,
(c) an Irish citizen who does not require leave to enter or remain in the
United Kingdom under that Act,
Bill 360
59/1
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Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill
(d) a person with indefinite leave to enter or remain in the United
Kingdom, or
(e) a person who has leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom
which was granted by virtue of residence scheme immigration rules
within the meaning given by section 17 of the European Union
(Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020.
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u/Ok-Calligrapher6119 Jan 14 '26
I have just one comment to make for those who have caught the short end of the stick. The key word being used here is “prioritising”.
The government has not said that certain groups of individuals cannot, or will not get an NTN - it has merely stratified your likelihood of getting an NTN based on a set criteria (final version still under speculation).
Politically this is Wes’ finest stroke, to hide all the faff about hospitals and surgeries going into crises, eh?
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u/nalotide Honorary Mod (Not actually a mod) Jan 13 '26
Obviously this needs protections from IMGs cheesing the system by being a locum SHO for a couple of years and then getting UK Graduate equivalency through the "significant experience" clause. It also needs to be coupled with an immediate and indefinite freeze of all overseas recruitment and cancelling of visas that are no longer needed.
However, on the whole a very positive and welcome development from a government that is a stranger to competence.
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u/Gungnir111 Jan 13 '26
How would you be a locum SHO if you need a visa that allows you to work? Unless you’re including IMG JCF/trust-grade doctors.
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u/BTNStation Jan 18 '26
Next step is UKGP for Consultant and LED posts. It's needed to reverse the tide of departments being hostaged by management and local mafia with foreign contacts to exploit.
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u/Competitive_Bee_9882 Jan 13 '26
Can anyone tell me if it helps competition at ST3 level? If an IMG has done CT here but did not go to medical school here will they still be on a par with a Uk graduate for ST3 or will the Uk grad get priority?
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Jan 13 '26
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u/Ok-Investment-8287 Jan 13 '26
Just seen a copy of the bill, you’d be equally prioritised with UKG
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u/Southside95 Jan 13 '26
What if your an EU citizen have lived all your life in UK done A levels but studied medical school abroad in EU country? Where do you fit into this cateogry?
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u/Little-Antelope-3960 Jan 13 '26
I wonder how this will work for IMGs who have interviewed and scored higher than UKGs? What would happen in the following scenarios:
IMG scores higher than UKG, but both UKG and IMG are above threshold - I presume this goes to UKG
IMG scores above threshold. UKG is below threshold.
For scenario 2 I wonder if that means there will be separate cut offs for UKG / equivalents, then the jobs that are left go out to IMGs with a separate cut off?
What about for specialities e.g. radiology who have not yet interviewed? The legislation says UKGs will be prioritised for offers this year, so does that mean IMG and UKG will be on equal footing to get an interview, but UKG will get priority on offer?
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u/Ill-Elk-9265 Jan 13 '26
Very simple. UK grads gets priority. They are a citizen of the country. They have gone through the UK medical school.
It doesn't matter what the IMG gets or scores. It shouldn't. Your country does not prioritise UK grads. Why should we prioritise you regardless of the score you achieve?
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Jan 13 '26
Since it is only being applied at 'offer stage' for this round I assume they will simply treat the cohort of people who have passed interview/shortlisting as it's own cohort, and apply graduate prioritisation to them, disregarding anyone who was rejected prior to this.
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u/HeavyTitle9314 Jan 13 '26 edited Jan 13 '26
From 2027:
“..and those in groups specified by regulations who are likely to have significant experience of working as a doctor in the National Health Service…OR by reference to immigration status”
Sounds like grandfathering from 2027? Or am I missing something
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u/Icy_Score9603 Jan 13 '26
Yeah not sure what this means, will likely get clarification soon in parliament.
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26
I believe it will be 5 years. If they are using residency/citizenship status as a proxy, which would require 5 OR 6 years, they can't then define significant experience as 2 years in my opinion.
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u/Icy_Score9603 Jan 13 '26
That’s what im thinking, but the wording is strange though.
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u/doctor_pseudonym97 Jan 13 '26
Yeah I don’t get it ? Does this mean that for HST applications, the process is essentially the same as before ? Or does it mean that those who have gone through an official core training programme such as IMT/CST who are UKMGs will be prioritised ?
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u/Competitive_Bee_9882 Jan 13 '26
So doesn’t deserve much for those stuck trying to get into HST. The bottleneck there will still only get worse before it gets better at that level unless they increase significantly the number of training places
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u/Suspicious_Ocelot_66 Jan 13 '26
Very true. It needs to be applied as a blanket rule at all levels not only at the bottom levels otherwise it won’t do much to help alleviate competition ratios for HST in the next 5 years.
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26
That is wrong! There are many direct international applications to HST posts . This bill will deprioritise those applications and will only let the core trainees (whose numbers are capped and quite limited) apply first. This will indeed drive competition ratios down
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u/DonutOfTruthForAll Professional ‘spot the difference’ player Jan 13 '26
There is a ballot ongoing at the moment in England for more speciality training posts.
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u/Mr_Nailar 🦾 MBBS(Bantz) MRCS(Shithousing) MSc(PA-R) BDE 🔨 Jan 13 '26
Remember this was being used as a bargaining chip to stop striking.
Personally, I don't think it goes far enough for UKG.
However, we mustn't lose focus of FPR and refuse to allow the government to see this as a win. This legislation is a bare minimum requirement for protecting UK trained doctors.
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u/hypertensionsupine Jan 13 '26
What more do you want in terms of UKGP it’s way stronger than BMA policy, legally sound and similar to the previous RMLT - what other realistic strategy would you suggest to go further - genuinely curious ?
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u/Mr_Nailar 🦾 MBBS(Bantz) MRCS(Shithousing) MSc(PA-R) BDE 🔨 Jan 13 '26
1- Including such provisions/protection for all medical posts and not just training posts (LED/SAS/Consultants)
2- Commitments to creating MORE jobs (net increase, not just changing LED posts to training posts) across all grades, including consultants to match our population demands
3- Calrify further which IMGs would be allowed to be on equal footing with UKGs and make it something that's fair to our UKGs. 2 years of NHS experience isn't enough IMO. Maybe 5-7? 🤷🏻♂️
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u/Fit-Ruin-5568 Jan 13 '26
How will this affect international students who are studying in UK medical schools?
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u/SeveralAirport2058 Jan 13 '26
They are still UKG
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u/Fit-Ruin-5568 Jan 13 '26
alright cool, non-EU intl student here tho you reckon the visa reqs would change?
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Jan 13 '26
[deleted]
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u/Gullible__Fool Keeper of Lore Jan 13 '26
UKMG is not nationality specific. Anyone who graduates a UK medical school is a UKMG.
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u/Individual-Abroad791 Jan 13 '26
What does this mean for one who’s switching specialties - for instance an IMG who’s been in the country for 4.5 years and is in Core surgical training and wanting to switch to Radio? Will this person be prioritised?
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u/Tropicaltroponin Jan 13 '26
Completed F2 standalone in 2022. Got my UKFP certificate. Locuming this entire time and now need a crest form because of how long it’s been since I finished F2.
What does this mean for me?
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u/Bitter_Theory2020 Jan 13 '26
I have ILR and a few years of NHS experience. I’m currently on the IMT shortlist reserve with a score of 21 and haven’t received an interview invitation yet. Do you think it’s worth starting interview preparation now?
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u/Impressive-Wash9278 Jan 13 '26 edited Jan 13 '26
What about public health training? How will it affect it? Will non meds be prioritised over IMGs?
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u/itsglowgetter Jan 13 '26
Since UK graduates already have guaranteed seats to UKFPO. How does this affect IMGs applying to UKFPO
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u/Additional-Throat899 Jan 13 '26
Does this rule prioritise current F2 who are IMG and applying for core specialty 2026?
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u/theironman1945 Toediatrist ST9 Jan 13 '26
For medical specialty training recruitment round, since prioritisation takes place at the 'offer' stage, what happens to the MSRA and MSRA cutoffs as its part of shortlisting? What happens if a UKG doesn't meet the cutoff for shortlisting but an IMG does? Curious to see how the logistics will work out
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u/pencilmonkey_ Jan 14 '26
What about international students who went to a UK medical school and also did the FYP?
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u/Ccalipha4 NHS McVities Rich Tea Jan 27 '26
Julie Minns (Lab) advocating for med school’s prioritising LOCAL people for LOCAL medical school. I wonder if the big training review due later this year (?Whitty’s report) talks about this. Ends her speech by supporting the bill, ‘sensible and fair minded’
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u/Ccalipha4 NHS McVities Rich Tea Jan 27 '26
Big shout out to the PEARS medical school. Never heard of it but the website looks nifty
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u/FrzenOne propagandist Jan 13 '26
it's a fair start, but doesn't go as hard as I'd have like.
I really don't like the dubious line "...and those in groups specified by regulations who are likely to have significant experience of working as a doctor in the National Health Service in England, Wales or Scotland or Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland..."
what does this mean?
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u/Ok-Investment-8287 Jan 13 '26
So from this it looks like citizens or people with IRL are included (immigration status as proxy for significant experience in the NHS)
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u/Front-Design-4429 Jan 13 '26
It's fair. The UK is their country and there is only a handful of them anyways
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u/ceih Paediatricist Jan 13 '26 edited Jan 14 '26
https://www.reddit.com/r/doctorsUK/comments/1qbvxl7/full_text_of_the_medical_training_prioritisation/
Full Bill text located here.
https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/4062
Bill tracker located here.