England's Leading Doctors Set Out Medical Training Recommendations

Strategic Insights -

England's leading doctors have set out medical training recommendations following a comprehensive review into postgraduate medical training. The review, led by Professor Chris Whitty and Professor Stephen Powis, generated over 8,000 responses from doctors, patients, and professional bodies. The report makes clear that there are risks to major changes to training, but that the gap between what is needed and the current system is large enough that they are justified. The recommendations focus on four key priorities: training must become more flexible, the increasing role played by SAS and locally employed doctors must be built upon, current training bottlenecks must be addressed, and inclusive team structures must be rebuilt where doctors at every stage of training feel valued.

Key Takeaways:

  • The review led by Professor Chris Whitty and Professor Stephen Powis generated over 8,000 responses from doctors, patients, and professional bodies.
  • The report identifies 11 recommendations, with four key priorities: flexible training, building on excellence beyond formal training routes, addressing current training bottlenecks, and rebuilding inclusive team structures.
  • NHS England is already taking actions to improve the experience of resident doctors, including a 10-point plan to improve working lives and 1,000 new postgraduate places.
  • The report highlights the need for trade-offs between different aims, and the importance of addressing these honestly by all.
  • The next phase of the review will involve the medical royal colleges, postgraduate deans, the General Medical Council, NHS England, and the Department of Health and Social Care, as well as patient groups working together with doctors from all stages of training to design a package of reform.
  • The 10-year health plan commits to 1,000 new postgraduate places and working across Government to prioritise UK medical graduates and other doctors who have worked in the NHS for a significant period, for specialty training.
  • Professor Stephen Powis emphasized that the solutions to the training challenges lie within the profession, and that he is grateful to the thousands who have participated in the first phase of the review.
  • Professor Chris Whitty stated that training is essential for good medical practice and patient care, and that the report sets out key areas where medical training is working well and where it isn't working well and needs reform.
  • The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and other professional bodies have welcomed the findings and recommendations of the report, and are calling for swift action to deliver change.
  • The report has identified bottlenecks in training, excessive admin, and a lack of belonging as persistent and familiar ways in which the current system fails doctors and patients.

Statistics:

  • Over 8,000 responses were generated from doctors, patients, and professional bodies.
  • The report identifies 11 recommendations, with four key priorities.
  • NHS England is taking actions to improve the experience of resident doctors, including a 10-point plan to improve working lives and 1,000 new postgraduate places.
  • The 10-year health plan commits to 1,000 new postgraduate places.
  • The review involved the medical royal colleges, postgraduate deans, the General Medical Council, NHS England, and the Department of Health and Social Care, as well as patient groups working together with doctors from all stages of training.

Sources:

  • NHS England
  • Professor Chris Whitty
  • Professor Stephen Powis
  • Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
  • General Medical Council
  • Royal College of Physicians
  • Royal College of Psychiatrists
  • Royal College of General Practitioners
  • University of Cambridge