Response to GMC 2025 Workplace Experiences Report

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (the “College”) welcomes the latest GMC report on workplace experiences across the UK medical profession. While the modest improvements in satisfaction, workload, and burnout levels offer some encouragement, the findings highlight the persistent and systemic challenges that continue to jeopardise the wellbeing of doctors and patient safety.

The College is particularly concerned by the worrying picture around medical education and training. Doctors in training remain the group most at risk of burnout, while trainers — who form the backbone of the clinical learning system — are stepping back due to workload and lack of time. This creates a dangerous bottleneck that threatens the future of our profession. It is unacceptable that locally employed (LE) doctors and others outside formal training schemes continue to report limited access to development opportunities.

In addition, the report draws attention to entrenched inequalities, with disabled doctors and ethnic minority UK graduates reporting significantly poorer experiences across key metrics. This highlights the need for change in how inclusion, equity, and fairness are built into medical careers from the outset.

Commenting, Professor Andrew Elder, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh said:

We are urging coordinated action from governments, NHS leaders, and regulators. Key priorities must include delivering meaningful reform to medical training pathways, investing in protected time for educators and trainees and ensuring equality of opportunity for all doctors, irrespective of background.

Doctors cannot continue to bear the brunt of systemic failings. Without decisive action, we risk not only demoralising the workforce but also compromising the future of patient care in the UK. We stand ready to work with all stakeholders to create a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable working environment for every doctor.