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An update from the Junior Doctors Committee
26 July 2007
BMA lobbying on August changeover
The BMA continues to pressure government and SHAs to clarify exactly how they will guarantee continuity of employment on 1 August. Ministers have responded to BMA initiated parliamentary questions to government on preparedness for August. To view the full replies from the government use the following links:
- www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200607/ldhansrd/text/70720w0001.htm#07072057000005
- www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200607/ldhansrd/text/70723w0002.htm#0707234000014
See press release at: www.bma.org.uk/pressrel.nsf/wlu/SGOY-75AFH6?OpenDocument&vw=wfmms
See media coverage at: www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2131482,00.html.
The previous Tuesday, at his first one-to-one meeting with the Secretary of State, he had sought and received the Secretary of State’s commitment to his predecessor’s promise of full employment for previously- employed doctors.
On Wednesday, the Secretary of State for Health gave clear confirmation of his predecessor’s commitment to the Health Select Committee. He stated clearly that he did not expect UK trained doctors to be unemployed on 1st August; contracts had been extended until October to take into account delays with MTAS and MMC. We have challenged NHS Employers over the alarming claim in their latest bulletin that “Doctors who have a contract of employment with an end date of 31 July 2007 have no guaranteed employment after this date”
We have also asked SHAs repeatedly to share their plans for how they are managing these promises. Unfortunately, we have received no replies. Our press release can be found at: www.bma.org.uk/pressrel.nsf/wlu/STRE-75FHN7?OpenDocument
We will be continuing to keep the pressure up over the next week to try to minimise the impact on trainees, their families, members and patients.
MMC inquiry by the Health Select Committee
On Tuesday, the parliamentary Health Select Committee stated that it would undertake its own inquiry into MMC. The BMA had previously called on the Committee to undertake such an investigation and is pleased that an inquiry has been announced. The BMA will submit evidence to the inquiry and details of terms of reference can be viewed at: www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/health_committee/hcpn070724b.cfm
Guidance for doctors facing unemployment
Guidance is now on the BMA website aimed at doctors who are faced with unemployment. It contains advice about professional fees, maternity and sick pay and the effect of a break in service as well as links to other websites that offer assistance to doctors.
The BMA will support all members affected and robustly hold the government to its commitment of no unemployment.
Log in and read the guidance online.
Survey on MMC
A BMA survey of over 2000 members - www.bma.org.uk/pressrel.nsf/wlu/SGOY-759DRY?OpenDocument&vw=wfmms - shows that most believe the combination of MMC and EWTD will result in doctors not being trained to the standards required of an NHS consultant.
The research also shows that seven in ten juniors have not received good careers advice and almost half (46%) have considered leaving the country, as reported by the Sunday Telegraph - www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/22/ndocs122.xml.
These concerns were raised with Sir John Tooke last Friday when the BMA gave evidence to his independent inquiry into MMC. The BMA will campaign for changes to training to ensure necessary improvements required to maintain the high quality output form training.
MMC Program board:
The new MMC Programme Board for England met for the first time yesterday (25 July 2007) The BMA has negotiated four seats but will keep its membership under review depending on the Board’s effectiveness.
Read the report online.
Have your say and air your views on MMC in our new discussion forum by logging in at: www.bma.org.uk/mmcforum1.nsf/alltopics?OpenView&Login
Scottish Junior Doctors Committee (SJDC) Survey on the future recruitment and selection to specialty training in Scotland
SJDC is turning its attention to the future recruitment and selection to specialty training in Scotland. SJDC will be participating in a workshop being held by the Scottish Executive in September on the future recruitment and selection to specialty training in Scotland which, along with the interim report from a UK-wide independent review by Professor Sir John Tooke, will significantly influence a way forward for 2008 onwards.
The SJDC is seeking the views of all junior doctors in Scotland on the future recruitment and selection process for specialty training in Scotland to influence this workshop and to inform SJDC policy.
The survey will be sent by post to all junior doctors in Scotland for whom we have contact details, by the end of next week. We hope that juniors will take the time to complete the questionnaire to help us in collecting this important information.
Finally…….
We understand that a number of juniors will currently be moving house, and ask that, if your address has recently changed, or will change shortly, you update your new contact details. Please log onto the BMA website at https://www.bma.org.uk/coa.nsf/w1?OpenForm&Login or email your new contact details to membership@bma.org.uk, and include your name and BMA membership number.
As always, we encourage juniors to contact askBMA on 0870 60 60 828 with any employment issues and we will continue to record examples of MTAS problems, to use in our negotiations and lobbying, through info.jdc@bma.org.uk.
Dr Andrew Rowland
Vice-Chairman
Junior Doctors Committee
British Medical Association