Doctors' Working Lives News
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Saturday, March 31, 2007
MMC chief resigns
Professor Alan Crockard, the National Director for Modernising Medical Careers, has resigned, report the Daily Telegraph and the Times, following the reports in the Evening Standard (and multiple blogs) yesterday. Professor Crockard stated in his resignation letter that he "care[s] deeply about medical education and training" but feels that he has "responsibility but less and less authority". He stands by the "laudable" principles of MMC whilst expressing concerns over MTAS - "developed and procured by DH outside my influence".
"From my point of view," Crockard concludes, "this project has lacked clear leadership from the top for a very long time. Moving to the last few weeks, I have become increasingly concerned that the well intentioned attempts to keep the recruitment and selection process running have been accompanied by mixed messages to the most important people in the whole process - the young doctor applicants.
I realise that the service must continue to allow patients to be treated and I know little of the law, but it seems to me basically unfair to advertise the possibility of four interviews and then suggest that these might not be honoured.
Equally devastating would be the suggestion of some stakeholders, that the completed interviews be discarded and the process be rerun.
I accept that in many areas and in many specialties, this round of recruitment and selection has been acceptable. But the overriding message coming back from the profession is that it has lost confidence in the current recruitment system."
The DH has thanked Professor Crockard for his leadership. It remains to be seen how the MTAS process will be affected. The BMA, who withdrew from the review group on 23rd March, have released a statement calling for an independent review. The BMA MTAS page is also updating regularly and the MTAS news page will continue to update.
"From my point of view," Crockard concludes, "this project has lacked clear leadership from the top for a very long time. Moving to the last few weeks, I have become increasingly concerned that the well intentioned attempts to keep the recruitment and selection process running have been accompanied by mixed messages to the most important people in the whole process - the young doctor applicants.
I realise that the service must continue to allow patients to be treated and I know little of the law, but it seems to me basically unfair to advertise the possibility of four interviews and then suggest that these might not be honoured.
Equally devastating would be the suggestion of some stakeholders, that the completed interviews be discarded and the process be rerun.
I accept that in many areas and in many specialties, this round of recruitment and selection has been acceptable. But the overriding message coming back from the profession is that it has lost confidence in the current recruitment system."
The DH has thanked Professor Crockard for his leadership. It remains to be seen how the MTAS process will be affected. The BMA, who withdrew from the review group on 23rd March, have released a statement calling for an independent review. The BMA MTAS page is also updating regularly and the MTAS news page will continue to update.
Monday, March 26, 2007
MMC/MTAS review group statement
A statement from the MMC/MTAS review group was published on Friday. It states that "at a minimum, every long listable applicant who applied through MTAS and meets the eligibility criteria for their relevant specialty will be invited for an interview". "First choice interviews that have already taken place should not need to be repeated", but "all eligible applicants at every stage of their training, whether or not they have already had interviews or interview offers, will be able to review their stated first choice preference and have the opportunity to select the one for which they want to be interviewed". "All interviews will be informed by the use of CVs and portfolios and probing questions".
Further details for candidates will be available on the main MMC website from the week commencing 2nd April.
In the meantime, MMC360.com has collated some of the best MMC black humour out on the web, including Study for Nothing, MMC Monopoly and of course AJ Patel's superb video ST Wars.
Further details for candidates will be available on the main MMC website from the week commencing 2nd April.
In the meantime, MMC360.com has collated some of the best MMC black humour out on the web, including Study for Nothing, MMC Monopoly and of course AJ Patel's superb video ST Wars.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Update on MMC situation
Junior doctors' representatives are still pursuing resolution to the issues raised by the MMC interview system (see last post). The Department of Health has now agreed to a review - after the first round of interviews are over. Surgeons in the West Midlands have suspended an interview panel due to concerns over the MMC process. However, the Department of Health is resisting calls to do this across the board, saying that it would be "irresponsible to halt the interview process at this late stage". (Telegraph).
Career advice and support for doctors who have not been offered interviews is available from all Deaneries, the BMA, NHS Education Scotland, and Doctors.net.
Career advice and support for doctors who have not been offered interviews is available from all Deaneries, the BMA, NHS Education Scotland, and Doctors.net.
Friday, March 02, 2007
"Jobs crisis for junior doctors"
Preliminary results of MMC applications are coming out, and many junior doctors have failed to be shortlisted for any jobs, according to media reports. With an estimated 30,000 applicants chasing 22,000 jobs, the papers report widespread unhappiness and anxiety amongst juniors. Doctors and their representatives have also criticised the perceived inadequacy of the application process, which was said to place only 25% emphasis on qualifications and CV.
This follows significant glitches in the online application system which have already seen delays to recruitment. The BMA has claimed that the system may be open to corruption (E-Health Insider, The Herald).
According to a Government press release this morning, the Prime Minister's official spokesman has responded that "the important thing was that there were more doctors than before. That was part of the investment that had gone into the Health Service. In terms of people getting jobs, there were the usual processes in place to ensure this happened, but that was best done at an operational level rather than a policy level. The important thing was that the overall number of doctors, as with nurses, had gone up. Put to him that this was all very well, but these doctors could not actually find work, the PMOS replied that the usual processes were in place for matching available trainees with jobs. But this was best done at an operational level."
A second round of interviews will take place if jobs fail to be filled the first time. The second round opens on 28th April 2007. Doctors not shortlisted for jobs will be able to apply for Trust grade (non training) jobs, which will still be available in many Trusts, but it is feared that some doctors may be driven abroad. The BBC reports that doctors are planning a public protest on March 17th, organised by Remedy UK. This organisation is also looking into the potential for a legal challenge to the system. (Telegraph)
More reports can be found at the following pages:
Channel 4 News Special Report
Guardian and Guardian comment
Telegraph front cover and extended report
NHS Education Scotland is providing career planning support for doctors not shortlisted. The NHS Employers MMC FAQ mentions that there are careers advisors available in each Deanery. Advice and support is also available via www.doctors.net.uk. See also the BMA and MMC websites (linked on the left) and the MTAS website, which may have more news as time goes on.
This follows significant glitches in the online application system which have already seen delays to recruitment. The BMA has claimed that the system may be open to corruption (E-Health Insider, The Herald).
According to a Government press release this morning, the Prime Minister's official spokesman has responded that "the important thing was that there were more doctors than before. That was part of the investment that had gone into the Health Service. In terms of people getting jobs, there were the usual processes in place to ensure this happened, but that was best done at an operational level rather than a policy level. The important thing was that the overall number of doctors, as with nurses, had gone up. Put to him that this was all very well, but these doctors could not actually find work, the PMOS replied that the usual processes were in place for matching available trainees with jobs. But this was best done at an operational level."
A second round of interviews will take place if jobs fail to be filled the first time. The second round opens on 28th April 2007. Doctors not shortlisted for jobs will be able to apply for Trust grade (non training) jobs, which will still be available in many Trusts, but it is feared that some doctors may be driven abroad. The BBC reports that doctors are planning a public protest on March 17th, organised by Remedy UK. This organisation is also looking into the potential for a legal challenge to the system. (Telegraph)
More reports can be found at the following pages:
Channel 4 News Special Report
Guardian and Guardian comment
Telegraph front cover and extended report
NHS Education Scotland is providing career planning support for doctors not shortlisted. The NHS Employers MMC FAQ mentions that there are careers advisors available in each Deanery. Advice and support is also available via www.doctors.net.uk. See also the BMA and MMC websites (linked on the left) and the MTAS website, which may have more news as time goes on.
This site is maintained by Ellie Pattinson. All rights reserved. This website is maintained independently of the NHS and the views expressed are not necessarily a reflection of the views of that organisation. For any queries, contributions or amendments, please email me on admin@idwl.info.
