BMA chairman quits in letter row
From Mmc
BMA chairman quits in letter row
The chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA) has resigned following a dispute with colleagues over a letter to a national newspaper.
James Johnson, chairman for almost four years, said his early resignation was prompted by unhappiness within the BMA.
He said his letter to the Times about problems with the appointment system for junior doctors was written without the consultation of senior colleagues.
BMA treasurer Dr David Pickersgill said colleagues had lost confidence in him.
Mr Johnson, a vascular surgeon in the north-west of England, wrote the letter with Dame Carol Black, chairman of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.
Dr Pickersgill said: "While it [the letter] reflected the association's agreed position of working towards a pragmatic solution for this year, its tone failed to reflect the anger being currently expressed by members of the association, particularly junior doctors.
"It was felt to be insufficiently sensitive and has led to a loss of confidence in the chairman."
The controversial system used to match junior doctors to specialist training posts was shelved by ministers last week, after months of anger from many doctors.
They had complained the system was profoundly flawed, and that many juniors had been unfairly treated.
Juniors had to apply for a job through a system known as the medical training application service (MTAS).
But the system ran into serious trouble with many complaining about a lack of posts, poorly designed recruitment forms and technical failures with the online application system.
Mr Johnson said he had intended not to seek re-election in June for a fifth and final year of office, but he was now leaving early because of "unhappiness" over the letter.
It had been a "tremendous privilege to serve my colleagues through the BMA", he said, adding that he wished his successor and the association well.
The BMA said it would now consider the process for electing a new chairman.
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