TPD Survey 2025: Geriatric medicine training – Patterns, pressures and provision

Introduction

Understanding the structure of higher specialty training is essential for future workforce planning in geriatric medicine. The British Geriatrics Society (BGS) Training Programme Director (TPD) survey provides a national overview of training patterns, workforce metrics and emerging challenges. This study reports findings from the 2025 survey and compares key trends with previous surveys.

Methods

UK geriatric medicine TPDs were invited to complete an electronic survey distributed by the BGS. The 2025 survey comprised 28 questions covering trainee numbers, recruitment, less than full-time (LTFT) training, out-of-programme (OOP) experience, community geriatrics training and workforce challenges. The survey remained open for six weeks in Autumn 2025.

Results

Eighteen TPD responses were received, representing 15 UK deaneries. Across responding deaneries, 517 National Training Numbers were reported, with 37 unfilled posts (vacancy rate 7.2%), similar to previous surveys. Over half (53.6%) of trainees were working LTFT, compared with 44.8% in 2023 and 22% in 2019. At least 41 trainees were undertaking OOP experiences, most commonly in stroke medicine, research and leadership. At least 77 trainees achieved Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in the preceding year; 92% (71/77) took consultant posts locally, and responding TPDs were unaware of any CCT holders who did not go on to take a consultant post. Community geriatrics training opportunities varied across deaneries, with most programmes including exposure to Hospital at Home, domiciliary visits and community hospitals. TPDs highlighted workforce and rota planning pressures and administrative burden as key challenges affecting training delivery.

Conclusion

The survey highlights continuing changes in geriatric medicine training, including increasing uptake of less than full-time training and the challenges these changes present for TPDs in workforce and rota planning. These findings provide valuable national evidence to inform workforce strategy and support TPDs in workforce and training planning.