GMC reports 70% of obstetrics trainees face burnout, risking patient safety

The General Medical Council has warned that trainee doctors on maternity wards are facing burnout at higher rates than any other specialty, a situation that could endanger patients. The regulator’s 2026 national training survey, completed by 68 % of trainees – about 52,000 doctors – found that 70 % of obstetrics and gynaecology trainees were at moderate to high risk of burnout, compared with 61 % across all fields. One in three said they regularly suffered from sleep deprivation, and a similar proportion felt hesitant to raise concerns with senior colleagues.

The findings come as the NHS grapples with staffing shortages and rising pressure on maternity services. The Department for Health and Social Care has said that ensuring every maternity unit meets the highest standards is a priority, but the GMC data suggest that cultural and leadership failures are undermining that goal. Trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology reported more feelings of overwork and less willingness to speak up than their peers in other specialties, pointing to a workplace environment that does not support open communication.

Charlie Massey, head of the GMC, said that doctors who cannot raise concerns may cause “critical impact” on patient safety. He told the BBC that many incidents stem from poor culture and leadership, not clinical skill. Former doctor and author Adam Kay, who left medicine after a traumatic birth incident, called the report “miserable reading” and argued that nothing has changed since he left the profession 16 years ago. Kay recalled his own experience of a stillbirth with no debrief, counselling, or time off, and warned that today’s trainees are “burnt out, bullied, and don’t feel they can report problems upstream.” He added that staffing levels are lower than ever, pushing many doctors to consider part‑time work, moving abroad, or leaving for the pharmaceutical industry.

The GMC says the next step is to create environments where staff feel supported and listened to. It plans to work with hospitals and the Department for Health to improve leadership, provide better mental‑health resources, and address staffing gaps. If successful, the changes could reduce burnout, restore confidence among trainees, and protect the safety of mothers and newborns across the country.