In a joint letter, the chief medical officers make clear that such work, from supporting medical education and training to leading service development and regulatory activities, should be regarded as a necessity to improve training and patient care.

In addition, they stress that employer support is critical for doctors to take on these roles, recognising the personal and professional development benefits involved.

The letter also sets out how organisations directly benefit from enabling this work, including through:

• increased skills and leadership experience among staff
• improved retention of doctors who are supported in their development
• stronger recruitment, as clinicians seek roles that support flexible and fulfilling careers.

RCP president, Dr Mumtaz Patel, said: ‘This renewed support is both timely and essential. Doctors who contribute to national or regional work bring back invaluable skills, insight and leadership experience to their organisations.

‘Supporting this activity is not just good for individual professional development – it ultimately benefits patients and strengthens the system as a whole. I encourage all employers to recognise this and enable their staff to take up these important roles.'

The RCP will continue to advocate for protected time and structural support for clinicians contributing to these vital activities across the UK health system.