Update on specialist training in Scotland

The College strongly welcomes the announcement that, subject to parliamentary approval, the draft 2026/27 Scottish budget will provide additional funding for specialty training posts described as “an increased investment to support a 10% growth in postgraduate training places for the 2026 intake”. 

We understand that an increase of £14m in baseline funding will be made available, to ensure that all specialty training posts created by the Scottish Government to date are now baseline funded.

For several years, the College and others across the medical professions have been calling for workforce planning in Scotland to reflect the reality of how doctors work, rather than relying on crude headcount models that fail to account for less than full time training, rota gaps, and service pressure. 

The acknowledgement that resident doctors are essential to safe care delivery, and that current planning arrangements have not kept pace with evolving workforce trends, is both timely and necessary.

In response, President-elect Professor Mark Strachan said:

The College welcomes this announcement, which reflects a necessary shift towards workforce planning that matches the reality of modern medical training and service delivery. Moving to whole time equivalent recruitment and providing baseline funding for specialty training posts is a sensible and necessary step – particularly for specialities where a significant proportion of trainees work LTFT. This revised approach will give NHS boards greater financial certainty, support flexible training, and help ensure patients continue to receive safe, high-quality care across Scotland.