RCP calls for urgent reform of medical training to address burnout and protect fitness to practise standards

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has issued a strong call for reform of postgraduate medical training following the release of its national “next generation” survey, which reveals widespread burnout, frustration, and dissatisfaction among resident doctors. The findings raise serious concerns about the sustainability of the current training model and its impact on the future workforce, patient safety, and fitness to practise standards.

The survey, which gathered responses from over 1,000 doctors in training, paints a troubling picture of the pressures facing junior clinicians. Only 26% of respondents felt prepared for the next stage of their career, and just 17% believed recruitment processes were fair. Key stressors included rota gaps (reported by 72%), excessive clinical workloads (66%), and inadequate IT systems (59%). Many doctors described their training as “tick-box” and dominated by service provision, with limited opportunities for supervision, mentoring, or skill development.

The RCP warns that without urgent structural reform, the NHS risks losing a generation of talented professionals. The report highlights that poor training experiences not only affect morale and retention but also undermine the quality of care and the robustness of fitness to practise assessments. When doctors are unsupported and overburdened, the risk of errors increases, and regulatory processes may fail to reflect the true context of professional performance.

To address these issues, the RCP is calling for:

• Fairer and more transparent recruitment processes
• Protected time for learning and professional development
• Improved access to supervision and mentoring
• Enhanced digital infrastructure and leadership training
• Increased training capacity and long-term workforce planning

The College emphasises that medical training must be restructured to prioritise wellbeing, competence, and career progression. It also calls for greater recognition of the lived experiences of doctors in training, ensuring that regulatory bodies—including those overseeing fitness to practise—take into account the systemic challenges professionals face.

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