Transitional period for international medical graduates working in NHS

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closedDepartment of Health and Social CareOpened 11 March 2026Closed 11 September 2026

Background

Provide transitional relief period for international medical graduates for the 2026 medical recruitment cycle. Clearly define significant NHS experience for 2027 recruitment cycle onwards as a minimum of two years of NHS employment to ensure pre-entry procedural fairness & informed decision-making.

Additional details

Changes to UK medical graduate prioritisation were introduced after recruitment processes had already begun. We believe this undermines procedural fairness and effectively applies rules retrospectively. In our view “significant NHS experience” has not been clearly defined, preventing doctors from making informed career decisions. International medical graduates form a substantial proportion of the NHS workforce, and we think uncertainty or exclusion risks workforce disruption and undermines the contribution they make to patient care.

Where it’s popular

Constituencies with the most signatures on this petition.

Source: UK Government & Parliament Petitions service. Petition ID: 759606.