​The WRDC (Welsh Resident doctors committee) considers all matters affecting resident doctors in Wales and acts on their behalf. We do this by informing, liaising and  lobbying with Welsh Government, HEIW (Health Education and Improvement Wales), NWSSP (NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership) and local health boards. We also work closely with the Welsh council and the UKRDC. 

Our priorities

Pay restoration for resident doctors in Wales

After three successful rounds of strike action over pay, in June resident doctors in Wales voted YES to accept a pay offer from the Welsh Government for the 2023/24 pay year. This has been an important first step on the road to restoring pay for resident doctors working across Wales, and we continue to fight for full pay restoration and ensure the vital work of resident doctors is valued. 

Join our pay restoration campaign

Resident doctor contract talks in Wales

In October 2022, members voted to reject the proposed contract deal. As part of the pay deal agreed by members in June 2024, WRDC will re-enter contract negotiations with the Welsh Government later in 2024 with the ambition of reaching an agreement that would be put to members for implementation in 2025/26. 

This is an important opportunity to update the terms and conditions under which resident doctors in Wales work, currently employed on the 2002 contract, and to address issues raised by members during the previous unsuccessful round of contract reform in 2022. The committee has made clear that any renegotiation of the rejected proposals from 2022 must deal with the significant concerns regarding the pay systems and working hours that members raised and include appropriate investment.

Study budget review

As part of the pay deal agreed by members in June 2024, the Welsh Government has agreed to work with WRDC on changes to the current study budget and study leave system in Wales. This will involve examining barriers to accessing educational/development time, including study leave and budgets, the amount of budget allocated to each trainee, how to make improvements to systems and processes, and develop a new system that will enhance access to and transparency of study budgets.

Fatigue and facilities charter

The Welsh Fatigue and Facilities Charter and its accompanying FAQs was launched in May 2020. All health boards in Wales have signed up to the charter and must take active steps towards compliance with its stipulations. 

However, large parts of the charter remain unimplemented in health boards and trusts. The Welsh Government and NHS Employers Wales, as part of the pay deal agreed in June 2024, will recommit to the provisions outlined in the charter and will work proactively with WRDC to monitor implementation plans and timelines within health boards and trusts.

Read more about BMA work on fatigue and sleep deprivation.

Travel and relocation expenses reimbursement

WRDC continues to work with HEIW to review the Welsh trainee travel and relocation expenses policy, ensuring that the policy provides adequate support for trainees who must rotate for their training.

Single lead employer for hospital-based trainees

WRDC is a key stakeholder on the project board for the implementation of NWSSP as the single lead employer for hospital-based trainees in Wales. Being a member of the board enables us to raise our members’ issues directly with NWSSP and advocate for a smooth transition process for all trainees.

Following the roll out of the single lead employer model for hospital-based trainees, WRDC continues to work closely with NWSSP to monitor any issues raised by trainees and ensure these are dealt with quickly.

Less than full time training

WRDC has successfully lobbied for greater flexibility within the LTFT training policy in Wales. The 2022 policy removes the requirement for resident doctors to fall into eligibility categories in order to apply to train LTFT. It also stipulates that all specialties should offer a range of percentage WTE (working time equivalent) options, rather than just the typically offered 50%.

Our people

Chair: Dr Oba Babs-Osibodu 

Deputy chairs:
Dr Deiniol Jones (terms and conditions)
Dr Emily Sams (education and training)

WRDC executive subcommittee (including chair and deputies):
Dr Lucy Hall
Dr Claire Norman
Dr Thomas Grother

WRDC terms and conditions subcommittee members (including chair, deputies and members of the executive subcommittee):
Dr Will Atkins
Dr Craig George-Mcdowall
Dr Imogen John

Our meetings

We meet four times a year to discuss the latest issues affecting resident doctors in Wales. These meetings are open to members of the WRDC only.

Meetings dates:

•    16 October 2024
•    9 January 2025
•    11 March 2025
•    4 June 2025

All meetings take place from 10.30am to 3.30pm either virtually or at:

BMA Cymru Wales
5th Floor
2 Caspian Point
Caspian Way
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF10 4DQ

How to join WRDC

There are many advantages to becoming involved in our committees. You can actively influence BMA policy-making and negotiations, represent your colleagues' voices and develop your leadership skills. 

Each committee has a few routes to becoming an elected member. In the case of WRDC, this is: 

The election section below is kept up to date with details about any running elections, so make sure you keep checking it throughout the year.  

Elections

WRDC direct elections

Direct elections are held every 2 years for WRDC. Elections are now closed.

Get in touch

If you are interested in finding out more about the work of the WRDC, email [email protected].

Join the BMA Wales resident doctors Facebook page, to stay up to date with the work of the WRDC.