<2>Medical Training Prioritisation Bill Passes, but Clarification Needed on IMGs, Leaders Say
<3>UK Trained Medical Graduates to Receive Priority in Training Places
The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 has gained Royal Assent, paving the way for its implementation on 6 March. This legislation aims to address the long-standing issue of a “choked recruitment system” in the UK, which has led to unemployment among UK-trained doctors due to intense competition from international medical graduates (IMGs).
<3>Prioritisation of UK Trained Graduates
The Act promises to prioritise UK-trained medical graduates for foundation training places. This move is expected to benefit those who have completed their medical training in the UK and will now have a better chance of securing a foundation training position.
<3>Prioritisation of UK and Non-UK Trained Doctors with Significant NHS Experience
The legislation also prioritises UK medical graduates and non-UK trained doctors with what is deemed to be “significant NHS experience” for specialty training places. This provision aims to reward doctors who have gained valuable experience working in the NHS.
<3>Concerns Over IMGs Remain
However, doctors’ leaders have expressed concerns over the impact of