DoH Press Release 6 March 07

From Mmc

Department of Health (National)

DH announces review of modernising medical careers applications

Following discussion with the medical Royal Colleges and the BMA, the Department of Health today announced a review into Round One of Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) recruitment and selection into specialist training, made through the Medical Training and Application Service (MTAS).

It is clear that there have been a number of problems with MTAS, and that the process as a whole has created a high degree of insecurity amongst applicants and, indeed, more widely in the profession.

The review will be led by Professor Neil Douglas, Vice President of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

The review will be completed by the end of March, so that any changes can be made in time for Round Two, which begins on 28 April 2007.

The terms of reference are to:

• understand what has worked and not worked to date
• identify and promote good practice
• recommend action to remedy any weaknesses, taking account of legal and operational constraints
• identify specifically what further action or guidance is required:
  • immediately (or before completion of Round One)
  • before commencement of Round Two
  • before any subsequent rounds.
• develop improved arrangements for the support and care of applicants

MTAS is a new system by which doctors are selected and recruited for specialist training; it was launched in January this year ahead of the launch of Modernising Medical Careers Specialist Training Programme in August 2007.

Doctors have been applying for their preferred specialist-training programme since 22nd January 2007. The first round of interviews began last week.

Recruitment into specialist training is, and has always been a very competitive process. Any doctors who were not granted an interview in the first round of recruitment will have the opportunity to apply for the second round. A large number of jobs will not be filled in the first round. We have stressed to those interviewing in round one that they should not appoint unless they are absolutely satisfied with the calibre of candidates.

Both MMC and the new application process were developed with the help of stakeholders, including the medical royal colleges and trainee doctors. We will continue to work with them to ensure that trainee doctors are properly supported and fairly treated, and that the NHS is able to train and recruit the best doctors for the future.

MMC was a response to a real need for change on behalf of patients, the health service and doctors alike to implement new, transparent, postgraduate medical training programmes so that doctors could be trained and supervised properly, to nationally recognised standards.

Dame Carol Black, the President of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, said:

"The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges welcomes the Government's decision to carry out an immediate review of the Medical Training Application Service, the new system by which doctors are now selected and placed for specialist training.

"The Academy will work with the Department in the review, to ensure the necessary action is taken to remedy faults and to restore confidence."

Notes to editors

• The first meeting of the review group will meet on March 7th 2007 and any immediate remedial actions agreed by 8 March

• A final report will be ready by the end of March 2007

• Members of the review group will include:

• • Professor Neil Douglas, President Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
  • Mr Bernard Ribeiro, President Royal College of Surgeons of England
  • Dr Judith Hulf, President Royal College of Anaesthetists
  • Dr Paul Dimitri, Specialist Registrar in Paediatrics and Clinical Research Fellow
  • Professor Sheila Hollins, President Royal College of Psychiatrists
  • Mrs. Clare Chapman, Director General of Workforce (DH)
  • Mr. Nic Greenfield, Director of Workforce (DH)
  • Professor Alan Crockard, MMC National Director
  • Mr. Keith Smith, MMC Programme Lead

• Detailed areas to be considered:

• • eligibility criteria including IMGs and HSMP
  • short-listing and selection criteria including scoring and relative weightings
  • MTAS functionality including capacity, software support, helpdesk, security etc.
  • rules for recruitment and selection
  • guidance and support for interviewers
  • communications and helpdesk facilities
  • feedback to candidates
  • complaints procedures

• MMC arose as the result of Sir Liam Donaldson's Unfinished Business report in 2002. This identified large numbers of Senior House Officers, or doctors in training, who, while responsible for delivering much front-line patient care, were trained to widely varying standards. One of MMC's key objectives has been to help establish national standards for doctors in training.

• With around 18,000 new competency-based specialty training programmes available this year in England alone, MMC is working towards having more qualified doctors working within clinical teams, providing the majority of front-line, safer patient care.

• Further information about the progress of the review will be published on the MMC website at http://www.mmc.nhs.uk

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