MTAS and Selection of Trainees to our Specialty - Letter to Fellows and Members 12 March 2007
From Mmc
MTAS and Selection of Trainees to our Specialty
Letter to Fellows and Members 12 March 2007
Dear Colleagues
Update on MTAS
Further to my letter of 2 March 2007, I am writing to keep you abreast of developments with the MTAS Selection system. Following representation by the RCOG to the Academy things have developed quite fast. The issues were discussed by the Academy and then with the Department of Health, as a result of which there have been a number of Press Releases in the last few days.
It is now generally agreed that the MTAS shortlisting system failed to identify many eligible candidates, and increasingly there are also concerns about the interviewing procedures. Interviews for Obstetrics and Gynaecology will be complete, we think within the next few days, but nonetheless I would like to hear from colleagues their views and experience. We are now pressing for the review of all candidates who were not shortlisted in the first round, and will discuss how this might be done with the Academy Review Group.
The College position is that we have to get these things right for the second round, and we will work hard with the Academy, MMC and MTAS to achieve this. It is our responsibility to continue to lead the recovery from this crisis, on behalf of the next generation of trainees. As a specialty we will advise participation in the next round of selection only when we are satisfied that the proper procedures are in place.
To the many trainees who wish to do Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and to enter the new training system, but who were not selected in the first round, our message is please do not despair. We know you are upset, angry and disappointed. We all understand that you have been badly let down. The problem has not been your relative skills and attributes, but the Selection system. As stated above we are now pressing for review of all submissions not shortlisted. Furthermore we are led to understand by MMC that at least 50% of available training posts will be kept for the next round.
Please discuss your application for the second round with your Educational Supervisors. Please do stick with your commitment to do Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Keep an eye on the RCOG website. I will also be sending frequent bulletins to all Fellows and Members asking them to keep their trainees in the picture as things progress.
This has been a dreadful experience for many, and I do hope that trainees can take some comfort from the fact that this is now very clearly understood and that this specialty is doing all it can to recover the situation as much as is possible.
Yours sincerely
President's signature
Professor Allan Templeton President
