Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 enters law

The act was created in response to growing concerns that UK trained doctors are facing increasing competition for training posts from overseas trained doctors.

Applications for specialty training have risen from 12,000 in 2019, to nearly 40,000 for this year.

The number of application for foundation training has also grown; exceeding numbers of available places and leading to delays in allocations and applicants being placed in 'placeholder' positions.

Which applicants will be prioritised?

Foundation training (from 2026)

• Applicants with a primary medical qualification (PMQ) from the UK or the Republic of Ireland.
• Applicants with a PMQ from an institution in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

Specialty training (from 2026)

• Applicants with a primary medical qualification (PMQ) from the UK or the Republic of Ireland.
• Applicants with a PMQ from an institution in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
• Applicants who have, or are currently on a relevant UK training programme (e.g. foundation doctors applying for core training).
• Those within the following priority groups:
  • British citizen
  • a Commonwealth citizen who has the right of abode in the United Kingdom under section 2 of the Immigration Act 1971
  • an Irish citizen who does not require leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom under that act
  • person with indefinite leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom
  • a person who has leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom which was granted by virtue of residence scheme immigration rules within the meaning given by section 17 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020.