Petition · Department of Health and Social Care
Transitional period for international medical graduates working in NHS
Open for signatures
111 signatures
What the petition asks
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.
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.
Timeline
| 11 Mar 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
111
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
11 Mar 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.