The Lancet Voice Mumtaz Patel on UK NHS workforce and training issues
Jan 2, 2026
In this conversation with Mumtaz Patel, President of the Royal College of Physicians and a consultant nephrologist, the focus is on the ongoing challenges within the UK NHS workforce. Patel discusses how junior doctor strikes highlight deep systemic issues beyond pay, including poor workforce planning and inadequate training pathways. He advocates for valuing generalists and SAS roles, while also addressing recruitment hurdles in less favoured regions. With a push for better support and career progression for resident doctors, Patel emphasizes the importance of retaining a joyful and diverse medical career.
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Workforce Crisis Is Systemic
- The NHS crisis stems from systemic workforce, training, and capacity mismatches rather than solely pay disputes.
- Mumtaz Patel warns rising competition ratios and poor training design threaten an entire generation of doctors.
Training Bottleneck After Medical School Expansion
- Medical school expansion outpaced growth in postgraduate training posts, creating a bottleneck into specialty training.
- Patel says stagnant training posts amid far higher applicants leave talented graduates stuck or forced abroad.
Personal Cost Of Rigid Rotations
- Mumtaz Patel recounts moving 14 times during training and delaying family life due to rotation demands.
- She contrasts that with newer generations' demand for flexibility and work–life balance.