The Bill is UK-wide, and changes to how training applications are prioritised will only apply once the Bill has completed the full parliamentary process, and commencement regulations are in place.
The Bill aims to prioritise UK medical graduates for foundation and specialty training posts across the UK and extend priority to those with significant NHS experience and graduates from specific international medical schools to address a surge in training applicants against current training capacity.
About the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill
The Bill is being enacted via emergency (“fast-track”) legislation, intended for implementation during the current national application cycle.
The Bill applies UK-wide and has been coordinated through the four nations’ governments. If enacted, the Bill will include:
For the Foundation Programme (from 2026 starts):
- Prioritisation of applicants with primary medical qualifications from the UK, Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland
For Specialty Training (posts starting 2026):
- Priority given at offer stage to the following applicants:
- With a primary medical qualification from medical schools in the UK or Republic of Ireland
- With a primary medical qualification from medical schools in Iceland, Principality of Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland
- Who have completed or are currently on the relevant qualifying UK training programme (e.g. Foundation for core training, core training for higher training)
- British citizen
- Commonwealth citizen who has the right of abode in the United Kingdom under section 2 of the Immigration Act 1971
- Irish citizen who does not require leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom under that Act
person with indefinite leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom - 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
For Specialty Training (from 2027 onwards):
- Priority applied at interview and offer stage to:
- The groups above, and
- Applicants with significant NHS experience as defined by forthcoming regulations
Timeline
The Bill had its first reading in the House of Commons on 13 January 2026 and is progressing through parliamentary stages. MPs are due to debate the Bill in Parliament on 27 January 2026 and it will then go through several stages before becoming law. The Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England are clear that the Bill must go through the full parliamentary process, including debate, scrutiny, and approval by both Houses, before it becomes an Act.
Upon passage, implementation is expected to apply immediately to the 2026 training cycle, affecting both foundation and specialty recruitment processes.
RCPCH engagement
The College recognises the exceptional pressures currently facing medical specialty training and the need for an expansion of paediatric training places. RCPCH will continue to work with NHS England the Department of Health and Social Care to support fair solutions that strengthen the paediatric workforce and protect the highest standards for entry into training.
The College will monitor the progress of the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill through the UK Parliament and, as needed, will engage with MPs and Peers across the political spectrum, in line with our charitable objects and charity commission guidance, on behalf of the paediatric workforce.