Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help support trainee physicians affected by the withdrawal of speciality training places by the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians.

The Department asked NHS England to work with the other statutory education bodies in the United Kingdom, the Royal College of Physicians and the General Medical Council to ensure that issues this year with the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians exam is rectified as a matter of urgency, including putting support in place for those affected.

The statutory education bodies and directors of medical education in employing organisations have contacted individuals affected to ensure they understand their options and what support is available. In addition, the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians published detailed information on its website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.thefederation.uk/news/supporting-doctors-affected-2023-mrcpuk-part-2-examination-issue