2026 Wales Resident Doctor Employment and Training Places Survey

We are aware that many resident doctors are currently facing, or have recently faced, uncertainty about securing employment in Wales. Last summer we surveyed resident doctors in Wales to gauge the scale of this issue. We are now seeking to survey doctors again to understand whether the situation has changed since last year, and whether concerns about un- and underemployment last summer were realised.

In July 2025, we wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care highlighting the unfolding crisis in resident doctor unemployment. We are pleased to see that, in line with changes we have lobbied for, HEIW’s draft Education and Training Plan for 2026-27 recommends an uplift in the number of training places; we are currently awaiting the Welsh Government’s response to this. Following on from the successful contract referendum, a task and finish group is being convened to further investigate and address training bottlenecks. Alongside this, the UK Government is currently putting emergency legislation through Parliament to prioritise UK medical graduates; you can read more about this and the BMA’s response here: BMA specialty training policy FAQs | BMA

This is a matter of critical importance. By completing this survey, you will help us demonstrate to the Welsh Government and NHS Wales Employers that this is a persistent problem which needs addressing urgently.
GDPR statement

This information is being collected to inform BMA Cymru Wales about members’ views on pay. Some demographic information may also be collected for monitoring purposes. Any data supplied will be viewed by BMA staff and, where appropriate, elected members. This data may include incomplete responses where the respondent has exited the survey before the final submission page. Data will be retained by the BMA for a period not exceeding one year post the closure of the survey, before final deletion. Individually identifiable data will not be shared with third parties. Anonymised or statistical data may be used publicly or shared with third parties. Participants should not provide personal data of any person unless they are specifically asked to do so.