Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill 2026-01-27

Question

The Secretary of State is essentially talking about postgraduate training. I wonder what thought he has given to new clause 2 in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Dr Spencer). Merit has been entirely removed from the system. Does he have any sympathy for returning to a merit-based system?

Question

A constituent of mine studying medicine at Queen Mary University of London’s Malta campus wants reassurance that graduates like him will be prioritised on the NHS foundation medical training programme.

Question

(Intervention request, no specific question provided in transcript.)

Question

The Secretary of State shares my residents’ utter disbelief at how UK medical graduates, educated at taxpayers' expense, were suddenly forced to compete with overseas students, pushing many abroad for their careers and losing a big talent pool that should power our NHS.

Question

The SNP welcomes the Bill but raises concerns about significant challenges for supporting retention of individuals, particularly in specialty fields like general practice. The new requirement for settled status is 10 years with some exceptions, whereas training programmes are often only three years long.

Question

The Bill is basically a good one, and we all share the intent to encourage home-grown talent to remain in our national health service, so could the Health Secretary explain why he appears to have set his face against British students who for various reasons train at, for example, St George’s in Cyprus or St George’s in Grenada and who then want to come back and practise in our national health service? They want to come back and practise at home. Amendment 9 would deal with that conundrum. Why will he not support it?

Question

I associate myself with the remarks of my hon. Friend about Malta. As a member of the Health and Social Care Committee, I have also been approached by Queen Mary University. It seems to me that we should be approaching this with a sense of fairness, and if students have entered into a GMC-recognised course with the expectation of having priority access for foundation status, we should accept that those who are currently in training still enjoy that, even if we change the rules for people who enter those courses in the future. Is that something that my right hon. Friend will consider?

Question

The Secretary of State mentioned the need for more medical staff across the world and, of course, in this country as well. At the general election, he pledged to double the number of medical school places by 2030. Is that still a commitment, and how far has he got with it?

Question

The Secretary of State rightly notes that there is international competition for healthcare talent. On Friday, I met Dr Osoba, a GP who trains future GPs. She told me how disheartening it is to train future GPs whose intention is to leave the UK. What is the Secretary of State doing to ensure that British-trained medics stay working in the NHS?

Question

My question relates to exactly that issue. The Secretary of State will be aware, because I have written to his Department about it a number of times, that many disabled medics face a particular challenge. They may have had to take time out of their training because of a medical condition. They are told that they can obtain a certificate of readiness to enter specialty training and go into a training specialism, but the computer says no and NHS England is not sorting this out. Will he please get a personal grip on this and fix it for my constituents?

Question

It is vital that we address this issue to ensure that UK-trained doctors are prioritised for vacancies over international applicants—the Secretary of State is making important points about that. We need those places to be opened up for UK medics immediately, so will he explain why the Bill will not come into force immediately after Royal Assent but instead includes provision for it to come into force on such day or days as the Secretary of State may by regulations appoint?

Question

Commended the speed of bringing legislation to Parliament, raising concerns about disquiet among international medical graduates and asking for reassurance that they are welcome in the NHS.

Question

Asked for a commitment to prioritise UK-trained resident doctors ahead of those trained abroad, expressing support for the Bill.

Question

Sought reassurance regarding medical students from Northern Ireland who study in Irish institutions and asked about the impact of delays on planning in NHS trusts.

Question

Asked when the workforce plan would be published, which had been delayed.

Question

Welcomed the legislation and asked if the Government's actions showed commitment to fixing problems left by the Conservative government.

Question

The Bill prioritises UK graduates, but the surge in overseas-trained doctors applying for training posts raises concerns about fairness and the return on taxpayer investment. What steps will be taken to ensure that this legislation is fair and delivers on its promises?

Question

Does she agree that we need to add to the priority list British nationals who are training in medical schools outside of the UK?

Question

The Liberal Democrats support the Bill, but have concerns about its implementation and real-world consequences for the NHS, patients, and doctors. The NHS has a deep workforce shortage, with crises in some specialties. Will the Minister confirm when a detailed long-term workforce plan will be delivered?

Question

The Liberal Democrats have tabled amendments requiring parliamentary scrutiny for future changes to eligibility criteria through the positive procedure. Will the Minister confirm whether international doctors already working in the NHS will be deprioritised mid-cycle?

Question

What is the expected impact on NHS service provision if doctors who are deprioritised during the application process decide to leave en masse?

Question

What is the impact of the Bill on universities offering medical degrees elsewhere in the world?

Question

This Bill is about fairness, protecting taxpayers’ money, and building a sustainable home-grown NHS workforce. Since 2019, competition for postgraduate training places has increased dramatically. What measures will the Government take to address these challenges?

Question

The MP discusses the Bill's treatment of symptoms rather than curing fundamental issues, mentioning a creeping de-professionalisation of the medical profession. He also criticises the current system that does not provide doctors with autonomy over their training placements and highlights the need for trusts to offer flexible working options based on local needs.

Question

Welcomes the Government's legislation and sees it as part of a longer-term approach to ensure an NHS workforce that is fit for the future. He expresses support but does not provide specific questions or criticisms.

Question

Inquires about the possibility of implementing a system similar to Wales, where health services pay students’ fees and train them with an obligation to stay in Northern Ireland. He raises concerns about losing trained staff due to personal circumstances.

Question

Discusses the importance of medical workforce reflecting society, particularly working-class communities. Mentions initiatives by institutions like the University of Sunderland to widen access and highlights the need for these students to be prioritised for foundation and specialty training.

Question

Highlights the unusual set-up of the NHS workforce where the Government controls both supply and demand, welcomes legislation that gives priority to British-trained doctors for training posts.

Question

The Bill addresses the need to prioritise UK-trained doctors but it is crucial that we also consider how this will affect medical students like Marco, who fear unemployment due to an inability to secure a training position. Yasmin, another constituent, has pointed out the difficulties in securing positions after completing her foundation programme and the subsequent need for non-medical jobs just to survive.

Question

The MP's question or point about the policy, including their concern and local impact. 2-4 sentences.

Question

At the heart of the Bill is a simple test: does the Bill improve care for patients? Every delay in training, every cancelled clinic and every rota gap caused by workforce instability ultimately lands on the patient. It means longer waits, greater travel distances and, in too many cases, care that comes too late... Despite this, industrial action has continued. It is increasingly clear that the BMA is determined to extract every possible concession from the Government, using sustained disruption as leverage... If a measure will improve the NHS for patients and doctors alike, it should be implemented because it is right, not because it is tactically useful.

Question

Asks for assurance regarding the drafting of amendment 9, which was tabled by members of His Majesty’s official Opposition. Concerned about the potential impact on Northern Ireland and the administrative burden it might place on local bodies.

Question

Welcomes the Government’s plan to change the law, highlighting the challenges faced by young doctors due to increased competition for limited training places. Emphasises the need for proper accommodation and support for these doctors.

Question

Welcomes the Bill, noting the importance of workforce planning and the recognition of healthcare professionals as part of a global workforce. Acknowledges the mutual learning from this arrangement.

Question

I am a public health consultant and the public health workforce is exempt from this Bill's prioritisation. We need to ensure that UK graduates do not face issues faced by their medical colleagues, while maintaining an international mix in public health.

Question

This Bill is crucial for my constituency where the NHS is a major employer. The previous Government's visa changes have led to UK graduates being squeezed out of training opportunities, with too many lost to private sectors or overseas. We must prioritise domestic graduates as other countries do.

Question

This Bill is about fairness for doctors who train in this country and patients relying on the NHS workforce. The previous Government's visa changes have led to British-trained doctors facing huge barriers, turning to jobs abroad or within the private sector.

Question

I have concerns about residents like George and Dennis, British citizens who trained abroad but may not be included in the Bill's measures. Should they be included within the second tier of graduates from places like Iceland?

Question

My constituent Dr Khan, an overseas-trained doctor working in Poole General Hospital's emergency department, is concerned about the impact of these changes mid-cycle. Will you consider providing transitional protections for 2026 and using NHS experience as a metric instead of immigration status?

Question

MP asked for clarification on the timing of the Bill’s implementation, emphasising the need for clear routes and certainty for young doctors and their families. She expressed concern about potential delays and uncertainty.

Question

Questions the inclusion of Irish doctors under prioritisation, suggesting a potential conflict with devolved institutions' autonomy in Northern Ireland.

Question

Raises concerns about the definition of prioritisation for training posts.

Question

Discusses the impact of lifting visa restrictions in 2020 and the resulting damage to staff morale.

Question

Raises concerns about the personal impact on medical students who might feel their careers are better served abroad.