02 May 2007 MTAS update

From Mmc

MTAS update 2nd May 2007

Mary McGraw and I have been meeting weekly with senior representatives from the Department of Health MTAS team. We have kept Regional Advisers and Councillors informed and as time is moving on I feel it might be helpful to have this information on the website. We last met, together with the Presidents of the RCOG and RCPsychiatry – who are in a similar position to us as potentially undersubscribed specialties - on 2nd May. We were advised that those deaneries that choose to undertake second choice interviews for paediatrics will be allowed to do so. However the process for cascading interview outcomes across Units of Application has been rejected by the Department of Health following recommendations from their legal advisors. We have stressed our deep concern about the impact on trainees and on the service from under-filling of posts in August if we cannot appoint suitable candidates. We are urging that a process of locally appointed specialty training posts be allowed to cover any gap between rounds 1 and 2. To date no decisions have been made about round 2. We have been asked as a specialty to consider changes that would be required in the MTAS application form for round 2 but have been advised that major changes are unlikely to be possible. We have asked Regional Advisers and Programme Directors let us know by May 9th the minimum criteria for change that would be required in order for the MTAS application form to be considered appropriate for short-listing at each level of training. Thank you for your help and patience and we will keep you informed as soon as we receive new information.

Mary McGraw Vice President Training and Assessment

Patricia Hamilton President