FRIDAY, 31, JULY, 2026

Photograph attached: Newly-appointed doctors pictured with Medical Director Dr James Cotton and Medical Education Administrative Manager Claudia Smith.

NHS Tayside welcomes record cohort of newly-qualified doctors

NHS Tayside has welcomed 124 new doctors to the Health Board, building on last year's record intake and marking the largest number of newly qualified doctors to join the organisation.

Executive Medical Director Dr James Cotton met with the new Foundation Year 1 (FY1) doctors as they began their induction programme this week. The doctors will work across a wide range of specialties across NHS Tayside as they undertake a two-year foundation programme.

The induction programme, organised by the Directorate of Medical Education, includes lectures and workshops on a range of topics designed to support them as they prepare to begin their clinical roles, alongside time spent shadowing the medical teams in the departments where they will undertake their first post.

Dr Cotton said, “I am delighted to welcome our new FY1 doctors as they join clinical teams across NHS Tayside. We are pleased to welcome 124 doctors this year, exceeding last year's record intake and making this our largest-ever cohort of newly qualified doctors.

“I want to personally thank them for choosing to join Team Tayside and wish them every success for the future. They have worked incredibly hard to reach this point and will play an important role in supporting patients, families and colleagues across our services.”

Andrew Hall, one of the new FY1 doctors, said, “I am most looking forward to working as a doctor in a day-to-day clinical environment and being trusted to care for and support patients using the skills I have developed over the past five years.

“I have received a warm welcome from colleagues and I'm excited to begin this next stage of my career.”

The Foundation Programme provides newly qualified doctors with experience across a variety of clinical specialties, helping them develop the skills, knowledge and confidence required for the next stage of their medical training.

The new intake will join teams across NHS Tayside, where they will begin caring for patients under the supervision and support of experienced clinical colleagues.

Contact:

Lisa Campbell

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138