RCS Statement 23 March 07
From Mmc
College statement on MTAS
You will be aware of the ongoing discussions within the Academy’s Review Group about MTAS. Over the last 2 weeks the Royal College of Surgeons has continued to gather evidence from surgeons and trainees across the country who are caught up in the MTAS application process for surgical training posts. I am conscious of the strength of feeling of Fellows and Members revealed by our on-line survey and the constant flow of correspondence I have received. It is very clear to me that there has been a fundamental failure to deliver a system which is fair to all and is efficient in delivering the best surgical trainees for the NHS.
I am pleased that the Department of Health have again confirmed that they will abort the MTAS short-listing process for all trainees except GPs for 2007; the statement of the Review Group (22 March 2007) gives further clarification of the process of selection now being followed for this year which will employ full CVs, portfolios and probing interviews. The new process will not utilise the discredited application form used by MTAS for short-listing. Doctors and surgeons have demonstrated that structured interviews are the only valid method for selection.
I am particularly pleased that the Review Group has accepted my view that the operational details of the rescue package must vary from specialty to specialty, thereby taking particular account of the specific requirements of surgery as a craft specialty.
For eligible trainees applying for ST1, ST2 or ST3, the new procedure means they are guaranteed an interview for their 1st choice, and they now have the opportunity to reassess and change that first choice in the light of the geographical and specialty specific competition ratios published on the MTAS website (www.mtas.nhs.uk)
The new procedure also allows anyone whose application form did not gain entry to the MTAS system to apply directly to their 1st choice. If they are eligible for training, they will also be guaranteed an interview for their first choice posting.
It is now up to us as a College to support surgeons in each individual Deanery to make sure that they see all of the candidates at ST1, ST2 and ST3 who have put that Deanery as their first choice in their original MTAS form, or who would now like to put the Deanery as first choice in light of this re run.
Those Deaneries that have been waiting for a decision from the Review Group can now confidently proceed with interviews that ask probing questions using CVs and portfolios.
Those Deaneries that have already started their interviews will have to make an assessment about those interviews that have already taken place. In some cases Deaneries will be confident that they have carried out probing interviews with CVs and portfolios and can carry on; other Deaneries may not be confident that their interviews are consistent with the new guidance from the Review Group and may need to start again.
I understand the anguish that this may cause those candidates who have already been interviewed, but I have worked closely with our trainee organisations and feel that it is the fairest way to treat all candidates.
I recognise the special problems still facing academic medicine and steps are being taken to ensure adequate arrangements for dealing with applications for academic posts
The College will not be held to the original timetable if we cannot guarantee fairness to all of our candidates and to deliver the best possible trainees for the NHS.
Council is increasingly concerned that patient care may suffer if consultants are asked to give up time in clinics and operating theatres to interview the thousands of candidates let down by MTAS.
We must now have assurance from employers that consultants will be released to undertake the necessary interviewing and the Department of Health must acknowledge that this will mean cancelling clinics and other non-urgent duties at short notice. Chief Executives must be made aware that our consultants will need support to see this new appointment process through.
There must be an independent review at the end of this selection process which examines the role of PMETB, the Deans, MMC, MTAS and the Royal Colleges.
MTAS must not be run again until all of the Colleges are satisfied that it has a role to play in selection of our trainees. Any future selection process must take account of the lessons learnt from this shambolic exercise.
Bernard Ribeiro CBE
President
