College statement on The Medical Training (Prioritisation for Specialty Training Programmes) Regulations 2026

College statement on The Medical Training (Prioritisation for Specialty Training Programmes) Regulations 2026 

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (“the College”) notes the publication of The Medical Training (Prioritisation for Specialty Training Programmes) Regulations 2026 which follow from The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026. The regulations set out the criteria for candidates who should be prioritised for interview and places under the UK specialty training programme.

The College supported the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act but also urged government to support the many IMGs (International Medical Graduates) already working in our NHS and ensure they were able to access career progression opportunities on a fair basis. 

We therefore recognise the concern and disappointment felt by many IMGs that these regulations- despite previous indications- only prioritise individuals based on nationality and immigration status rather than any record of service within the NHS . As drafted they are likely to exclude many from the specialty training programme in 2027.

The government has powers under the Act to include a criterion around significant experience working as a doctor in the NHS in England, Wales or Scotland, or in Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland. Accordingly, we urge Ministers to engage with IMGs and their representatives, as a matter of priority, to ensure that NHS service is included as a priority criterion in the regulations from 2028 onwards.