23 March 07 Medical Training Application Service (MTAS) further statement on the review of recruitment and selection for specialty training

From Mmc

Medical Training Application Service (MTAS) further statement on the review of recruitment and selection for specialty training

Following acceptance of the initial recommendations of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges led Review Group, reported on 12 March 2007, the Departments of Health have today accepted the Group’s further recommendations.

Building on last week’s announcement, 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. Under this guaranteed interview scheme, candidates will be able to choose which of their preferences to be interviewed for in light of geographic specialty-specific and ST level-specific competition ratios which will be available on the MTAS website.

Interviews will be informed by the use of CVs and portfolios and probing questions.

We are glad that the service recognises the time and effort already put into this process by our fellows and members and required for further interviews for which the time required will be made available.

Although it will not undo the distress already caused to many thousands of doctors by the failings of an untested system, we strongly support this revised approach. With the Review Group, we believe that it offers the most equitable and practical solution available.

The Review Group will now discuss operational details, consulting widely. Information for applicants will be available during the week commencing 2 April on the MMC website at www.mmc.nhs.uk. Meanwhile, interviews will continue and the advice given is that applicants should attend unless they are confident that this will not be their preferred choice.

ENDS

Notes to editors: The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges supports and co-ordinates the work of the 16 Medical Royal Colleges and four of their Faculties.