Appropriate release of medical colleagues for the purposes for carrying out work for the wider health system

The four Chief Medical Officers, the GMC, NHS England and the Academy have written to NHS Boards, to encourage them to continue to look favourably on requests from doctors seeking their support to undertake national or regional work for the wider benefit of the public and of health services across England and the devolved administrations. 

The correspondence is attached, and the College would encourage Fellows and Members to circulate it to colleagues. Clinical pressures are high, but the NHS must train the next generation of doctors as well as sustain clinical service. Letters like this have been issued in the past – and the College is keen to support Fellows and Members in their requests as outlined above, where appropriate.