Resident Doctors and Dentists (Wales)
5 August 2026
Pay, Terms and Conditions information relating to Resident Doctors and Dentists in Wales (previously referred to as Junior or Doctors in Training).
Workforce
With effect from November 2024, Doctors previously known as "Junior Doctor" or "Doctors and Dentists in Training" are referred to as Resident Doctors and Dentists as requested by BMA and agreed by Welsh Government.
2002 Terms and Conditions of Service - Resident Doctors and Dentists (Wales)
From 2002 Resident Doctors in Wales have been employed in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of Service of Hospital Medical and Dental Staff and doctors in Public Health Medicine and the Community Health Service in Wales.
In 2025, following a mandate from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, BMA Cymru Wales, Welsh Resident Doctors Committee (WRDC) and NHS Wales Employers negotiated a Framework for the terms for a new contract in Summer 2025.
As such the above Terms and Conditions will be closed from 1st August 2026 but will remain in place for existing doctors until 2028, subject to the timetable for transition to the "2026" Contract as set out below.
Framework Agreement for Contract Reform 2025
This Framework was then supported by BMA members and approved by the Cabinet Secretary in December 2025.
The contract for doctors in training previously negotiated and agreed between representatives of each of the 4 UK home countries, the service throughout the NHS including in Wales, and the BMA through a body known as the JNC(J) i.e. the "2002" Contract. This contract will be closed from 1st August 2026 but will remain in place for existing doctors until 2028, subject to the timetable for transition to the "2026" Contract as set out in the Agreed Framework above.
2026 Terms and Conditions of Service - Resident Doctors and Dentists (Wales)
On 16th July 2026, BMA Cymru Wales and NHS Wales Employers issued a Joint Statement confirming the publication of the new Terms and Conditions of Service to apply to Resident Doctors and Dentists in Training in Wales in accordance with the Transition Timetable below.
These documents are subject to updates and as such you are advised not to download and save documents
- Model Contract and Statement of Main Particulars - Resident Doctors and Dentists in Training (Wales) (English)
- Model Contract and Statement of Main Particulars - Resident Doctors and Dentists in Training (Wales) (Welsh)
- Model Contract and Statement of Main Particulars - Locally Employed Doctors (LED) (Wales) (English)
- Model Contract and Statement of Main Particulars - Locally Employed Doctors (LED) (Wales) (Welsh)
Supporting NHS Wales Policies
- Study Leave Policy for Resident Doctors and Dentists in Training (Wales) (English)
- Study Leave Policy for Resident Doctors and Dentists in Training (Wales) (Welsh)
To Follow
Disbursement of Fines - Resident Doctor and Dentists (Wales)
Job Planning Policy - Resident Doctors and Dentists (Wales)
Relocation Reimbursement - Resident Doctors and Dentists (Wales)
Rostering - Resident Doctors and Dentists (Wales)
Transition Timetable
|
August 2026 |
2002 contract closed to new starters |
|
|
New appointments at all levels on these Terms and Conditions Existing medical residents at foundation level transfer Residents in unbanded rotas transfer |
|
September 2026 |
Dental core residents’ year 1 |
|
|
Paediatrics – foundation and all new appointments at all levels |
|
August 2027 |
Remaining residents within core training level transfer |
|
|
Transition opens to residents in higher training level |
|
September 2027 |
Remaining Dental residents within core training level |
|
|
Remaining Paediatric residents within core training level |
|
August 2028 |
All remaining residents (excluding dental and paediatric residents) with more than 12 months to CCT or for residents meeting exception criteria transfer |
|
September 2028 |
All remaining dental or paediatric residents with more than 12 months to CCT or for residents meeting exception criteria transfer |
Study leave Reforms April 2026
As part of the negotiation of a revised contract, WRDC, BMA Cymru Wales, Welsh Government and NHS Wales Employers, agreed a number of reforms to the provision of Study Leave for Resident Doctors. Some of these improvements are effective from 1st April 2026 as set out in a Joint Statement from BMA Cymru Wales and NHS Wales Employers.
The new NHS Wales Study Leave Policy for Resident Doctors and Dentists in Training was approved by Medical and Dental Business group on 30th June 2026
Fatigue & Facilities Charter 2020
The Fatigue and Facilities Charter in Wales has been developed in partnership by BMA Cymru Wales, NHS Wales Employers and Welsh Government to provide a comprehensive and ambitious set of standards, recognising the opportunities for NHS Wales employers to work towards in enhancing the working environment for Resident doctors in Wales.
The charter contains provisions beyond the 2002 terms and conditions of service for resident doctors in Wales, ensuring fewer long days and consecutive shifts, as well as setting a standard for rest facilities during shifts and for facilities to sleep in if you’re too tired to drive home.
It also outlines a robust framework for monitoring the implementation of the charter through LNCs (local negotiating committees) and a defined senior employer representative appointed by each health board.
This charter is the first step in a wider shift in attitudes to fatigue in the workplace and will be actively monitoring implementation of the charter nationally in partnership with Welsh Government and NHS Wales Employers.
The toolkit is a comprehensive and supportive mechanism which can be utilised by health boards to enable the implementation of the Fatigue and Facilities Charter; the toolkit provides assistance on the stages of progression in meeting the charter, as well as containing aids to capture and share good practice.
Fatigue and Facilities Charter (Wales)
Fatigue and Facilities Charter (Wales) FAQs
Fatigue and Facilities Charter (Wales) Implementation Toolkit