Today, the General Medical Council (GMC) has published new analysis finding that doctors training in obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) are consistently more likely than colleagues in other medical specialties to report heavy workloads, sleep deprivation and be at risk of burnout.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) says the findings echo its own membership census data and is calling on government to urgently invest in the O&G workforce, so doctors are better supported to provide the best possible care for women and babies.
The GMC report finds that, over the last four years, O&G trainees were:
More likely to be at risk of burnout: 70% were at high or moderate risk in 2026, compared with 61% across all specialties.
More likely to regularly suffer sleep deprivation: 31% in 2026, compared with 22% across all specialties.
More likely to feel hesitant about escalating a patient: almost a third (31%) said this year they had felt hesitant or apprehensive about escalating a patient to a more senior colleague, compared with around one in five (21%) across all specialties.
Under considerably greater workload pressure than the all-specialty average in 2026.
Less confident in reporting and challenging discrimination than trainees across all specialties.
Positively, nine in ten (89%) O&G trainees said their organisation encourages a culture of teamwork between multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, up one percentage point on 2025. The RCOG says multidisciplinary teamwork is the foundation of safe care, with professionals working together as one team caring for the same women and babies.
In response to the findings, RCOG President Dr Alison Wright said:
“These GMC data are deeply concerning and echo the RCOG’s own membership census findings. We urgently need to see government investment in obstetrics and gynaecology staffing to tackle the unacceptable pressures impacting doctors, and crucially, the care that women and babies are receiving.
"Multiple investigations have shown staffing levels, time to train and timely escalation are key to ensuring women receive safe, compassionate, and personalised maternity care. Workforce shortages are also contributing to unacceptable delays in gynaecological care, with over half a million women in England currently on gynaecology waiting lists.
"The safest services are those where concerns can be raised regardless of hierarchy and escalation is welcomed. Everyone in the team must feel safe to speak up, ask questions and challenge poor behaviour without fear of repercussion. We are fully committed to making this the norm across O&G.
“We urge trust leaders to be curious about the culture in their O&G services, to understand the impact that workforce pressures are having, and to find out what would make a difference to support resident doctors locally to provide the care we want to provide, and women and babies deserve.”
Dr Kat Barton, Chair of the RCOG National Trainee Committee said:
“As a trainee, these findings don’t surprise me, but they should concern everyone. Resident doctors and trainees are the future of the O&G workforce, yet many of us feel overstretched and close to burnout. This reflects staff shortages, working beyond our hours, and knowing that despite our best efforts, the care women receive is being affected.
"We know the safest care comes from teams that are well-supported, well-resourced, and listen to each other and to women and families. We need the government to invest in safe staffing at every level, protect our time for training, and support our wellbeing and careers, so we can give women the safe, compassionate care they deserve.”
The RCOG is committed to supporting our O&G workforce through our ‘Workplace Behaviour Toolkit’, which help build the skills and confidence to speak up and promote a positive, respectful culture in O&G, and our ‘Supporting Safe maternity Care’ programme, including enhanced training in culture and leadership.
The RCOG urges anyone in O&G affected by discrimination, racism, abuse or violence at work to report it through the appropriate channels. Support is also available at https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/ethical-hub/racism-in-the-workplace
ENDS
Read the full GMC report here: Doctors training in maternity services face higher workloads, burnout and barriers to speaking up, GMC analysis finds - GMC
The RCOG is committed to supporting safe maternity care through education, clinical guidelines, research, and advocacy. The College’s maternity safety programme encompasses our role as an educator developing the curriculum; supporting the career development of clinicians through exams, courses and events; and raising standards of care through the development of clinical guidance. Read more about the RCOG Maternity Safety programme here.
Learn more about the RCOG’s Supporting our doctors programme: Supporting our doctors | RCOG
Read more about the RCOG’s ambition for Race Equality here: The College’s ambition for race equality | RCOG
Access our Race Equity eLearning module here: Race Equity in the Workforce eLearning resource | RCOG
Access our Workplace Behaviour eLearning here: Improving workplace behaviour
Read more about our work to support multi-disciplinary team working: Multi-disciplinary team working | RCOG
For media enquiries, contact the RCOG press office: pressoffice@rcog.org.uk or +44 (0)7986 183167