First Female RCSEd President Calls for Reduced On-Call Duties to Reform Doctor Training

Clare McNaught advocates overhauling resident schedules amid unsustainable competition for surgical posts across the NHS.

The medical training system is broken – and now one of Scotland’s most senior surgical leaders is demanding change. Clare McNaught, who made history in November as the first female President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, is calling for reduced on-call duties as part of a complete overhaul of how Britain trains its doctors.

Breaking Point in Medical Training

The numbers tell a stark story. Nearly 40,000 trainees are competing for just 9,000 specialty training roles – a level of competition that’s causing stress and uncertainty across the profession. McNaught’s call comes as the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill aims to address this crisis by prioritising specialty training for UK medical graduates.

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“The way we train doctors needs to change,” McNaught posted on social media, highlighting the urgent need for reform.

A New Approach to Surgical Education

McNaught, a general surgeon specialising in colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, took office with clear priorities. Her presidency focuses on advancing surgical education and supporting the next generation of surgeons through practical reforms.

The college isn’t abandoning international medical graduates though. RCSEd supports equality of access to training through an International Postgraduate Deanery, recognising the vital contributions overseas doctors make to the NHS.

Balancing Act for the Future

But the challenge runs deeper than numbers. Reducing on-call duties could improve trainee wellbeing while ensuring they still gain essential experience. It’s about working smarter, not just harder.

The reforms come at a time when many UK medical graduates are considering emigration due to limited training opportunities. McNaught’s approach aims to retain talent while maintaining the high standards patients expect from their surgeons.

Source: @bmj_latest

Key Takeaways

Nearly 40,000 trainees compete for 9,000 specialty training places, creating unsustainable pressure

Clare McNaught becomes first female RCSEd President, prioritising surgical education reform

Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill seeks to favour UK graduates while supporting international doctors

What This Means for Kent Residents

Kent’s hospitals, including Medway Maritime Hospital and Kent and Canterbury Hospital, could benefit greatly from these training reforms. Reduced on-call duties may improve the wellbeing of surgical trainees working across Kent, potentially leading to better patient care and reduced staff burnout. If you’re concerned about surgical services or training opportunities in Kent, contact NHS Kent and Medway ICB for information about local training programmes, or speak to your GP about referral pathways to surgical specialists.

Source: @bmj_latest

Published: 15 April 2026

Source: @bmj_latest on X. This article has been researched and rewritten with editorial balance by Kent Local News.