Past surgical workforce reports
Workforce censuses and statistics
The 2025 UK surgical workforce census report, Advancing the Surgical Workforce, was published in December 2025.
RCS England previously carried out workforce censuses in 2023, 2011 and 2010. The reports, data analysis and key findings can be downloaded below:
Older workforce figures collated from Hospital episode statistics can be downloaded below:
Working Time Directive
The Working Time Directive (WTD) requires that employers limit working hours of staff to work no more than 48 hours/week on average. This is a significant reduction in hours for most doctors and trainees, compared to before the directive’s implementation. The directive is having a considerable impact on both service delivery and training – particularly in the craft specialties such as surgery. Key concerns for the College include difficulty in maintaining continuity of care for patients and receiving appropriate training within shortened hours.
Read further information on the background to the rulings, requirements and opt-out clause.
Queries relating to the directive should be emailed to publicaffairs@rcseng.ac.uk.
Useful workforce links
- Conference of postgraduate medical deans (COPMeD)
- Department of Health and Social Care
- Healthcare Workforce Solutions
- NHS Digital
- Joint Committee on Surgical Training (JCST)
- NHS England Workforce, Training and Education (NHSE WTE)
- Medical specialty recruitment NHS England
- NHS Employers
- Audit Scotland