In our latest blog: Melanie Tipples, Vice President for Education, discusses the RCOG’s involvement in the Medical Education and Training Review (METR) and what it could mean for resident doctors.
The Medical Education and Training Review (METR) is looking closely at how doctors train. The first phase of the review was led by Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, and the former National Medical Director at NHS England, Professor Stephen Powis. Professor Dame Jane Dacre has now been appointed as independent chair of the review, to take forward the recommendations set out in phase one.
The recommendations centred around four priorities; more flexible training, removing the divide between service provision and training, addressing bottlenecks which inhibit career progression, and rebuilding team structures. You can read the detail in the diagnostic report published in October 2025.
It was a pleasure to meet Professor Dacre who is working to engage with the GMC, Royal Medical Colleges, doctors and other stakeholders to drive change. I was able to highlight where RCOG members were currently involved with the review and our wish to be closely involved going forward. There are eight workstreams in total. The RCOG are currently represented on the Curricula, Procedure Heavy, Rotational Training and the Career Progression workstreams. It was also reassuring to hear that we will have further opportunities to represent the views of our members at four town hall sessions across the month of September (see below). Phase two publication is planned for March 2027.
On behalf of the RCOG, I have applied to be involved in the METR advisory group. If accepted, this will provide me with the opportunity to scrutinise the recommendations that come out of the eight working groups prior to them being finalised.
During my time with Professor Dacre I was pleased to be able to update her on the work of the RCOG surgical skills project. The project team have explored some of the same areas being reviewed as part of the METR. We will share the learning from the first phases of the project with Professor Dacre and the relevant workstreams. We are delighted that Professor Dacre has accepted invitations to attend RCOG Council in September and the RCOG Specialty Education Advisory Committee development day in October. This will give an opportunity for Heads of School across the UK to hear about the METR work and to feedback to Professor Dacre directly.
Finally, I would like to thank all the RCOG members who have engaged with this review. If you are sitting on any of the eight workstreams, please do make sure you have advised the education team on curriculum@rcog.org.uk, so we can understand your thoughts and contributions on the phase 2 work. We also welcome input on where we should be highlighting any specific areas of change or process which will improve the wellbeing and experience of our O&G doctors in training and support our educators.
- Read the Medical Training Review: Phase 1 diagnostic report, here.
- Read more about the RCOG Surgical Skills Project here.
- Town Hall 1: Career Progression and Flexibility - Wednesday 9th September 15:00 - 17:00: Career Progression and Flexibility
- Town Hall 2: Clinical Academic Medicine and Procedure Heavy Specialties - Wednesday 16th September 14:00 - 16:00: Clinical Academics Medicine and Procedure Heavy Specialties
- Town Hall 3: Rotations and Curricula - Wednesday 30th September 12:00 - 14:00: Rotations and Curricula
- Town Hall 4: Educators, Training Facilities and Training Delivery - Thursday 1st October 10:30 - 12:00: Educators, Training Facilities and Training Delivery