Psychiatry Training Committee Statement

From Mmc

MTAS: the views of the Psychiatric Trainees’ Committee

Before the start of the first round of national selection for specialty training, there were huge concerns about the reliability and the feasibility of the process. The Psychiatric Trainees’ Committee (PTC) expressed many of these concerns at various levels during the developmental process. Some were taken on board and reassurances were given with regards to others.

It has now clear that there have been significant problems with the first round of MTAS recruitment. Even though there were multiple reported difficulties, including technical hitches with the electronic portal and differential treatment of candidates across Deaneries, the most significant worries are around the short listing process. The PTC’s view, which is informed by the hundreds of emails and telephone calls received from both Consultants and trainees across the country, is that many excellent and deserving candidates were not short listed and a few of those who were short listed were less deserving than others. We are not at all suggesting that all those who were short listed did not deserve to be; indeed a majority of these are reported to be excellent candidates. We are mainly concerned about that robustness and the reliability of the short listing process.

Whilst it is impossible to describe the anger, frustration, disappointment and dejection faced by trainees, the overriding emotions are anxiety and panic. We sympathise with all the trainees caught in this mess. Through the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and the Academy Trainees Group, the PTC is involved in discussions with the review panel chaired by Prof. Douglas. Following the latest press release on the 23rd of March 2007, many trainees contacted us. The concerns expressed by them have confirmed our belief that offering one interview for all is not an acceptable outcome.

The PTC is making strong representations to the review group with regards to this, and we will do our utmost to push for a system that is equitable and fair to all trainees. We hope to achieve this, but in order for this to happen, it is imperative that, for the moment, we keep the dialogue open with the Department of Health and the review panel. The majority of PTC feels that walking out at this stage will eliminate any likelihood of demanding a more just solution.

However, we are also aware that this review process cannot be allowed to drag on indefinitely and our involvement in the dialogue is contingent on an urgent, equitable and fair resolution to this crisis in postgraduate medical recruitment. We will keep trainees informed via the trainees’ section of the College website about events as they develop. We are eager to receive emails (mailto:kforster@rcpsych.ac.uk) from trainees and trainers affected by the process so that we can have a well-informed discussion with the review group.