Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026

March 4, 2026

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<hcontainer xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" xmlns:ukl="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation" name="crossheading" ukl:Name="Pblock" eId="crossheading-prioritisation-of-uk-graduates-and-others-for-medical-training-programmes"><heading>Prioritisation of UK gradu

<section xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-1"><num>1</num><heading>UK Foundation Programme</heading><intro>A person who has a function of deciding offers of places on a UK Foundation Programme must offer places to eligible applicants who are—</intro><level

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-1-a"><num>(a)</num><content>UK medical graduates, or</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-1-b"><num>(b)</num><content>persons in the priority group,</content></level>

<section xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-2"><num>2</num><heading>Specialty training programmes: offers made in 2026</heading><subsection eId="section-2-1"><num>(1)</num><intro>A person who has a function of deciding offers of places on a UK specialty training

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-2-1"><num>(1)</num><intro>A person who has a function of deciding offers of places on a UK specialty training programme, where the offers are made in 2026, must offer places to eligible applicants who are—</intr

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-2-1-a"><num>(a)</num><content>UK medical graduates,</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-2-1-b"><num>(b)</num><content>persons in the priority group,</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-2-1-c"><num>(c)</num><content>persons who have completed, or are currently on, a relevant qualifying UK programme, or</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-2-1-d"><num>(d)</num><content>persons within <ref href="#section-2-2">subsection (2)</ref>,</content></level>

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-2-2"><num>(2)</num><intro>A person is within this subsection if they are—</intro><level class="para1" eId="section-2-2-a"><num>(a)</num><content>a British citizen,</content></level><level class="para1" eI

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-2-2-a"><num>(a)</num><content>a British citizen,</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-2-2-b"><num>(b)</num><content>a Commonwealth citizen who has the right of abode in the United Kingdom under section 2 of the Immigration Act 1971,</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-2-2-c"><num>(c)</num><content>an Irish citizen who does not require leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom under that Act,</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-2-2-d"><num>(d)</num><content>a person with indefinite leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, or</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-2-2-e"><num>(e)</num><content>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

<section xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-3"><num>3</num><heading>Specialty training programmes: offers from 2027 onwards</heading><subsection eId="section-3-1"><num>(1)</num><intro>A person who has a function of deciding which applicants to interview for a pl

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-3-1"><num>(1)</num><intro>A person who has a function of deciding which applicants to interview for a place on a UK specialty training programme, where the interviews are offered in 2027 or any subsequent year, must

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-3-1-a"><num>(a)</num><content>UK medical graduates,</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-3-1-b"><num>(b)</num><content>persons in the priority group,</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-3-1-c"><num>(c)</num><content>persons who have completed, or are currently on, a relevant qualifying UK programme, or</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-3-1-d"><num>(d)</num><content>persons of a description set out in regulations made by the appropriate authority,</content></level>

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-3-2"><num>(2)</num><intro>A person who has a function of deciding offers of places on a UK specialty training programme, where the offers are made in 2027 or any subsequent year, must offer places to eligible applic

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-3-2-a"><num>(a)</num><content>UK medical graduates,</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-3-2-b"><num>(b)</num><content>persons in the priority group,</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-3-2-c"><num>(c)</num><content>persons who have completed, or are currently on, a relevant qualifying UK programme, or</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-3-2-d"><num>(d)</num><content>persons of a description set out in regulations made by the appropriate authority,</content></level>

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-3-3"><num>(3)</num><intro>Regulations under <ref href="#section-3-1">subsection (1)</ref><ref href="#section-3-1-d">(d)</ref> or <ref href="#section-3-2">(2)</ref><ref href="#section-3-2-d">(d)</ref> may only descri

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-3-3-a"><num>(a)</num><content>in the opinion of the appropriate authority, meet criteria set out in the regulations which indicate that they are likely to have significant experience of working as a doctor

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-3-3-b"><num>(b)</num><content>are persons within any of paragraphs <ref href="#section-2-2-a">(a)</ref> to <ref href="#section-2-2-e">(e)</ref> of <ref href="#section-2">section 2</ref><ref href="#section-2

<hcontainer xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" xmlns:ukl="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation" name="crossheading" ukl:Name="Pblock" eId="crossheading-interpretation"><heading>Interpretation</heading><section eId="section-4"><num>4</num><heading>“UK medical gra

<section xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-4"><num>4</num><heading>“UK medical graduate” and “the priority group”</heading><subsection eId="section-4-1"><num>(1)</num><content>In this Act, “<term refersTo="#term-uk-medical-graduate" eId="term-uk-medical-graduat

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-4-1"><num>(1)</num><content>In this Act, “<term refersTo="#term-uk-medical-graduate" eId="term-uk-medical-graduate">UK medical graduate</term>” means a person who holds a primary United Kingdom qualification within

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-4-2"><num>(2)</num><content>A person is in the priority group for the purposes of this Act if they are within <ref href="#section-4-3">subsection (3)</ref> or <ref href="#section-4-4">(4)</ref>.</content></subse

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-4-3"><num>(3)</num><intro>A person is within this subsection if—</intro><level class="para1" eId="section-4-3-a"><num>(a)</num><content>they hold a primary medical qualification from an institution in Ireland

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-4-3-a"><num>(a)</num><content>they hold a primary medical qualification from an institution in Ireland, and</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-4-3-b"><num>(b)</num><content>they did not spend all or a majority of their time training for that qualification outside Ireland.</content></level>

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-4-4"><num>(4)</num><intro>A person is within this subsection if they hold a primary medical qualification from an institution in—</intro><level class="para1" eId="section-4-4-a"><num>(a)</num><content>Iceland

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-4-4-a"><num>(a)</num><content>Iceland,</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-4-4-b"><num>(b)</num><content>Principality of Liechtenstein,</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-4-4-c"><num>(c)</num><content>Norway, or</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-4-4-d"><num>(d)</num><content>Switzerland.</content></level>

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-4-5"><num>(5)</num><content>In <ref href="#section-4-3">subsections (3)</ref> and <ref href="#section-4-4">(4)</ref>, “<term refersTo="#term-primary-medical-qualification" eId="term-primary-medical-qualification">pr

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-4-6"><num>(6)</num><content>The appropriate authority may by regulations amend the list in <ref href="#section-4-4">subsection (4)</ref> if the appropriate authority considers it necessary to do so to reflect an int

<section xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-5"><num>5</num><heading>“UK Foundation Programme”, “UK specialty training programme” etc</heading><subsection eId="section-5-1"><num>(1)</num><content>The following definitions have effect for the purposes of sections

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-5-1"><num>(1)</num><content>The following definitions have effect for the purposes of sections <ref href="#section-1">1</ref> to <ref href="#section-3">3</ref>.</content></subsection>

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-5-2"><num>(2)</num><intro>“<term refersTo="#term-uk-foundation-programme" eId="term-uk-foundation-programme">UK Foundation Programme</term>” means—</intro><level class="para1" eId="section-5-2-a"><num>(a)</num><

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-5-2-a"><num>(a)</num><content>an acceptable programme for provisionally registered doctors within the meaning of the Medical Act 1983 (see section 10A of that Act), or</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-5-2-b"><num>(b)</num><content>a programme that is designed to follow on from an acceptable programme for provisionally registered doctors, which lasts for up to a year and which is used primarily for the tr

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-5-3"><num>(3)</num><content>In <ref href="#section-5-2">subsection (2)</ref>, “<term refersTo="#term-newly-registered-doctor" eId="term-newly-registered-doctor">newly registered doctor</term>” means a person who has

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-5-4"><num>(4)</num><intro>“<term refersTo="#term-uk-specialty-training-programme" eId="term-uk-specialty-training-programme">UK specialty training programme</term>” means a programme of training required for or lead

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-5-4-a"><num>(a)</num><content>a UK Foundation Programme,</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-5-4-b"><num>(b)</num><content>a programme wholly in the area of public health,</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-5-4-c"><num>(c)</num><content>a programme for which the majority of training takes place outside the United Kingdom, or</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-5-4-d"><num>(d)</num><content>a programme described or specified in regulations made by the appropriate authority.</content></level>

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-5-5"><num>(5)</num><intro>“<term refersTo="#term-relevant-qualifying-uk-programme" eId="term-relevant-qualifying-uk-programme">Relevant qualifying UK programme</term>”, in relation to an applicant for a UK specialty

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-5-5-a"><num>(a)</num><content>where their application is for the first or only stage of a UK specialty training programme, a UK Foundation Programme;</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-5-5-b"><num>(b)</num><content>in any other case, the previous stage of the UK specialty training programme or a UK Foundation Programme.</content></level>

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-5-6"><num>(6)</num><content>“<term refersTo="#term-eligible-applicant" eId="term-eligible-applicant">Eligible applicant</term>”, in relation to a training programme, means an applicant who meets the eligibility crit

<hcontainer xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" xmlns:ukl="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation" xmlns:default="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" name="crossheading" ukl:Name="Pblock" eId="crossheading-regulations"><heading>Regulations</heading><section eId="section-

<section xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-6"><num>6</num><heading>Regulations: general</heading><subsection eId="section-6-1"><num>(1)</num><intro>In this Act, “<term refersTo="#term-the-appropriate-authority" eId="term-the-appropriate-authority">the appropria

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-6-1"><num>(1)</num><intro>In this Act, “<term refersTo="#term-the-appropriate-authority" eId="term-the-appropriate-authority">the appropriate authority</term>” means—</intro><level class="para1" eId="section-6-1

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-6-1-a"><num>(a)</num><content>in relation to medical training programmes anywhere in the United Kingdom, the Secretary of State;</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-6-1-b"><num>(b)</num><content>in relation to medical training programmes in Wales, the Welsh Ministers;</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-6-1-c"><num>(c)</num><content>in relation to medical training programmes in Scotland, the Scottish Ministers;</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-6-1-d"><num>(d)</num><content>in relation to medical training programmes in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.</content></level>

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-6-2"><num>(2)</num><content>Regulations made by the Secretary of State under this Act are to be made by statutory instrument.</content></subsection>

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-6-3"><num>(3)</num><content>Regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under this Act are to be made by Welsh statutory instrument (see section 37A of the Legislation (Wales) Act <ref eId="c00003" href="http://www.legi

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-6-4"><num>(4)</num><content>For regulations made by the Scottish Ministers under this Act, see <ref eId="c00004" href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2010/10/section/27">section 27</ref> of the <ref eId="c00005"

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-6-5"><num>(5)</num><content>Any power of the Department of Health in Northern Ireland to make regulations under this Act is exercisable by statutory rule for the purposes of the <ref eId="c00006" href="https://www.l

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-6-6"><num>(6)</num><intro>A power to make regulations under this Act includes power to make—</intro><level class="para1" eId="section-6-6-a"><num>(a)</num><content>consequential, incidental, supplemental, tra

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-6-6-a"><num>(a)</num><content>consequential, incidental, supplemental, transitional and saving provision;</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-6-6-b"><num>(b)</num><content>different provision for different purposes.</content></level>

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-6-7"><num>(7)</num><content>A power of the Secretary of State to make regulations under this Act includes power to make different provision for different parts of the United Kingdom.</content></subsection>

<section xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" xmlns:ukl="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation" xmlns:default="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" eId="section-7"><num>7</num><heading>Regulations: procedure</heading><subsection eId="section-7-1"><num>(1)</num><intro>R

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-7-1"><num>(1)</num><intro>Regulations under—</intro><level class="para1" eId="section-7-1-a"><num>(a)</num><content><ref href="#section-3">section 3</ref> (regulations describing persons who may be prioritise

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-7-1-a"><num>(a)</num><content><ref href="#section-3">section 3</ref> (regulations describing persons who may be prioritised for specialty training programmes from 2027 onwards), or</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-7-1-b"><num>(b)</num><content><ref href="#section-5">section 5</ref><ref href="#section-5-4">(4)</ref><ref href="#section-5-4-d">(d)</ref> (regulations excluding specialty training programmes from prioritis

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-7-3"><num>(3)</num><intro>Before making regulations under <ref href="#section-3">section 3</ref> or <ref href="#section-5">section 5</ref><ref href="#section-5-4">(4)</ref><ref href="#section-5-4-d">(d)</ref>, the S

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-7-3-a"><num>(a)</num><content>the Welsh Ministers, if the regulations contain provision which would be within the legislative competence of Senedd Cymru if it were contained in an Act of the Senedd;</co

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-7-3-b"><num>(b)</num><content>the Scottish Ministers, if the regulations contain provision which would be within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament if it were contained in an Act of the S

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para1" eId="section-7-3-c"><num>(c)</num><intro>the Department of Health in Northern Ireland, if the regulations contain provision which—</intro><level class="para2" eId="section-7-3-c-i"><num>(i)</num><content>would be

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para2" eId="section-7-3-c-i"><num>(i)</num><content>would be within the legislative competence of the Northern Ireland Assembly if it were contained in an Act of that Assembly, and</content></level>

<level xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" class="para2" eId="section-7-3-c-ii"><num>(ii)</num><content>would not, if it were contained in a Bill for an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly, result in the Bill requiring the consent of the Secretary of State.</content></le

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-7-4"><num>(4)</num><content>Regulations under <ref href="#section-4">section 4</ref><ref href="#section-4-6">(6)</ref> (regulations amending list of prioritised countries) are subject to the affirmative procedure.</

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" xmlns:ukl="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation" xmlns:default="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" eId="section-7-5"><num>(5)</num><content>The “<term refersTo="#term-affirmative-procedure" eId="term-affirmative-proce

<hcontainer xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" xmlns:ukl="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation" name="crossheading" ukl:Name="Pblock" eId="crossheading-final"><heading>Final</heading><section eId="section-8"><num>8</num><heading>Extent, commencement and short ti

<section xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-8"><num>8</num><heading>Extent, commencement and short title</heading><subsection eId="section-8-1"><num>(1)</num><content>This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.</content></subsection

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-8-1"><num>(1)</num><content>This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.</content></subsection>

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-8-2"><num>(2)</num><content>This Act comes into force on such day or days as the Secretary of State may by regulations appoint.</content></subsection>

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-8-3"><num>(3)</num><content>The Secretary of State may by regulations make transitional or saving provision in connection with the coming into force of any provision of this Act.</content></subsection>

<subsection xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-8-4"><num>(4)</num><content>This Act may be cited as the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026.</content></subsection>