Modernising Medical Careers
Update
6 March 2007
The JDC has been calling for a delay to the recruitment process since July 2006. This call highlighted the significant implications of a rushed implementation, but this call was not heeded and many of the serious concerns raised have materialised – go to the JDC's call for delay
Last week saw the Chair of JDC write to the Secretary of State for Health to demand a review and audit of the current recruitment process and a halt to be called to the application process because of the myriad of problems that are constantly being uncovered. This was followed yesterday by a joint letter from Dr Hilborne and chair of the Consultants Committee, Jonathan Fielden to highlight that ‘the selection process is fatally flawed, and doctors have no confidence in it' and to reiterate that the current process has lost credibility with the entire profession - go to the press release
We have been told that today the Secretary for State will launch a thorough review of the MTAS process, but has stopped short of halting interviews. This will be eagerly awaited but falls far short of what we are asking for.
Clashing interviews
Following disappointing reports of clashing interviews the JDC put pressure on the Department of Health to rectify the situation. JDC had previously been assured that clashing interviews would not occur, but the timetable published in December was amended following the application process. The London Deanery has agreed to help those with clashing interviews, all those with problems are being advised to email them on a dedicated email address - email the London Deanery
This followed strong guidance from the Department of Health to deaneries advising them to be as flexible as possible following repeated pressure from the Association.
Cancelled/abandoned interviews
Interviews for a surgery rotation have been cancelled, as the consultants have said that they do not feel confident enough in the system to continue with the interview process. The Department of Health has confirmed today that no one will be disadvantaged by the cancellation and that all interviews will be rearranged.
The BBC has today reported this - go to the BBC report
Candidates who have not been short-listed in the first round
The JDC has provided advice for all those who have not been short-listed in the first round. Read this information here
MTAS poll
If you have applied through MTAS, please take the time to indicate how many interviews you have been offered - go to the online poll. You will need to be logged in to the website to do this. We have asked for these figures from the Department of Health as yet without success.
Meetings
As well as having requested an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State, we will be meeting with the MMC Advisory Board and Department of Health today, this will be followed by a meeting with the Deputy Chief Medical Officer responsible for Modernising Medical Careers, Professor Marshall, next week.
Press coverage
As you will have seen the issue is receiving considerable coverage on national television and in national newspapers, we will continue to highlight this issue as strongly as possible through the media and via BMANews. February and March media coverage.