Twenty-one doctors have initiated legal action against the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) over an error that led to them being incorrectly informed that they had passed a crucial professional exam, enabling them to work without proper qualification for an extended period.

The mistake, attributed to human error, occurred during the assessment of the Membership of Royal Colleges of Physicians (MRCP) part two written exam conducted in September 2023. Of the 1,451 candidates who sat the test, 61 were wrongly notified that they had failed despite having passed, while 222 were incorrectly told they had succeeded when in fact they had not. As a result, many doctors worked for more than a year under the false presumption of having met the necessary requirements for their roles.

The issue only came to light 18 months later, in February 2025, following a separate exam discrepancy that prompted an audit of previous results. According to a letter of claim seen by media outlets, the affected doctors reported experiencing immediate professional uncertainty, emotional distress, embarrassment, and financial repercussions stemming from the prolonged period of being misinformed about their status.

Representatives of the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK acknowledged the legal proceedings but declined to provide detailed comments, citing the ongoing nature of the case. The federation expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing the seriousness of the error and extending apologies for the disruption and distress caused to the individuals involved.

The Royal College of Physicians has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. The lawsuit raises significant concerns about examination oversight and the potential implications for patient safety and professional trust within the medical community.