Two of England’s leading doctors are to oversee a significant review into postgraduate training for newly qualified medics.
National Medical Director Professor Sir Stephen Powis and Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty will lead the review as part of work to address concerns raised by resident doctors (previously known as junior doctors).
The review will be based on feedback from current resident doctors and students, locally employed doctors and medical educators, with a series of engagement events around the country starting from this month.
The review will cover placement options, the flexibility of training, difficulties with rotas, control and autonomy in training, and the balance between developing specialist knowledge and gaining a broad range of skills.
The national listening events in February and March will be followed by a call for evidence in the spring to ensure the widest possible range of views, experiences and ideas are captured. A report on the review’s findings is due to be published in the summer.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director said: “It’s been several years since medical training was reviewed and the way we practise medicine has evolved, as have the needs and expectations of medical graduates.
“So, the time is right to look at again, especially with a new 10-Year Health Plan in development.
“By reshaping medical training, our aim is to improve the working lives of resident doctors and support career progression – ultimately helping them to deliver the best possible care to patients”.
Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England said: “We all learn throughout our medical careers. Many things have changed in medicine and it is sensible to look at the key issues, problems and successes of lifelong training we need to address. Getting the balance right between competing, reasonable aims of training and service provision will help ensure doctors are best equipped to treat patients in the coming decades”.
The Medical Reform Training Review Programme is aligned to the 10-Year Health Plan including the delivery of the shifts to community, prevention and digital.
For updates and to have your say, visit: NHS England » Postgraduate medical training review
