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Written question asked by Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 January 2026 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Tuesday, 27 January 2026. A substantive answer was provided by Karin Smyth (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 February 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Medicine: Graduates

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will hold discussions with his counterparts in the devolved Administrations on the potential impact of prioritising UK medical graduates in the 10 Year Health Plan on staffing levels.

Answer

The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 13 January 2026. The bill delivers the Government’s commitment in the 10-Year Health Plan for England, published in July 2025, to prioritise United Kingdom medical graduates for foundation training, and to prioritise UK medical graduates and other doctors who have worked in the National Health Service for a significant period for specialty training.

The bill extends and applies across the UK. Health workforce planning and access to medical training are devolved matters. However, the process of recruitment and the allocation of foundation and specialty training places is undertaken on a UK-wide basis, and we are committed to keeping that consistency.

Department ministers have worked closely with their counterparts on the draft bill and alongside this, officials have been working closely and constructively with colleagues across all devolved administrations as we shape these proposals, and will continue to do so.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
106947
Session
2024-26
Related items
Deposited Paper DEP2025-0460
Monday, 7 July 2025
Deposited papers
House of Lords
Subjects
Staff Devolution Health services Graduates Medicine
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk