Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the training provided to NHS medical staff.

The standard of undergraduate medical training is the responsibility of the General Medical Council (GMC), who set the outcomes and standards expected. Medical schools are responsible for their curricula, and for ensuring that they deliver high quality placements that enable their students to meet the GMC’s requirements.

The curricula for postgraduate specialty training are set by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges for foundation training, and by individual royal colleges and faculties for specialty training. The GMC approves curricula and assessment systems for each training programme. Employers in the health system are responsible for ensuring that their staff are trained to the required standards to deliver appropriate treatment for patients.