BMA Scotland Press Release: Junior doctor recruitment system

From Mmc

Following the recommendations published by the Review Group of Recruitment and Selection for Specialty and GP training (Thursday 22 March 2007), Dr Peter Terry, Chairman of BMA Scotland said:

"BMA Scotland has been working closely with the Scottish Executive, Royal Colleges and NHS Education for Scotland to find the best way forward for trainees in Scotland. Although we support the principles of Modernising Medical Careers, serious concerns regarding the application process have left doctors unconvinced that the system for shortlisting applicants was fair or effective. We therefore hope to find the solution that is fair to all applicants.

"The review group has recognised that solutions may differ across specialties and in different parts of the UK. BMA Scotland's preferred solution would be for all eligible applicants to be interviewed for all their choices. This proposal seems to have support across Scotland. We recognise the commitment and added workload this would have on consultants and the healthcare team as a whole and we hope that those involved would get behind this for the benefit of our trainees, the service and patients".

Dr Graeme Eunson, Chairman of the BMA’s Scottish Junior Doctor Committee said: “The practical solution that would address junior doctors concerns regarding the shortlisting of candidates would be for all eligible applicants to be interviewed for all their choices. This would ensure that all junior doctors have a fair chance of obtaining the training posts they deserve.

"We would urge the whole of the UK to adopt this solution, however, should Scotland take such an approach, candidates applying in both Scotland and England should not lose their opportunity to also attend an interview in England".

Ends

Notes to Editors:

  • The following resolution was passed at a meeting of the BMA's Scottish Council on Wednesday 21 March 2007. That Scottish Council:

(i) Acknowledges that the MTAS process for Specialty Training is UK-wide; (ii) Believes the MTAS application form has been a poor tool for shortlisting candidates fairly; (iii) Considers that the only acceptable solution at this point is to interview all eligible applicants for all their choices but recognises that this should ideally be achieved as part of a UK solution.


For more information contact: Beatrice Morrice BMA Scotland E: bmorrice@bma.org.uk T: 0131 247 3052 M: 07979 510 421

Retrieved from "http://editthis.info/mmc/BMA_Scotland_Press_Release:_Junior_doctor_recruitment_system"
Personal tools