VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Doctors: Training

Asked by Mr Gregory CampbellDemocratic Unionist PartyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 13 April 2026UIN 123581

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when does he expect the next phase of the review of the UK Foundation programme to be concluded.

Answered by Karin Smyth

The first phase of The Medical Training Review has concluded. Phase 1 identified key challenges and areas for improvement across postgraduate medical training, including for foundation training, alongside what currently works well. The Phase 1 diagnostic report can be found at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/the-medical-training-review-phase-1-diagnostic-report/

Phase 2, which is already underway, will involve working with a wide range of stakeholders across the system to design a package of reform.

NHS England is also conducting a review of the Preference Informed Allocation (PIA) method, which was introduced in 2024 as the process for allocating applicants to the UK Foundation Programme to foundation schools.

Timelines for Phase 2 of the postgraduate medical training review and the PIA review will be confirmed in due course.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim