Government backdown on junior doctor system
From Mmc
Government backdown on junior doctor system 10/03/2007
Calls from the medical profession to change the "fatally flawed" job application system for junior doctors have led to a change in government policy.
The computerised system saw many of the most able junior doctors rejected without receiving a job interview, leading health experts to fear the talented young medics would look for work overseas.
However due to protests from medical professionals and the junior doctors themselves, who have been studying for around seven or eight years, the system has been modified and those who had not previously been invited to interview will have their applications reconsidered.
The changes will include modifications to the scoring system and application form as well as the ability to submit a CV and portfolio with the application form.
Currently, around 30,000 junior doctors are applying for 22,000 posts which will allow the medics to train to become consultants.
President of the Royal College of Surgeons, Bernie Ribeiro, commented on the problems caused by the original system: "It is clear that there is a large group of highly skilled trainees who have not been shortlisted for interview due to faults in the application process."
The computerised system was hoped to increase the fairness of the competitive application process yet health experts argued that the application form did the opposite.
"I will continue to pressurise the department to act on our advice to introduce a selection process for next year which is fair to all and effectively selects the highest quality surgical trainees for our NHS. Our patients deserve no less," Mr Ribeiro said.
Responding to concerns about the selection process, health minister Lord Hunt said: "I welcome this review and thank everyone on the team who worked so hard to find a way forward.
"I know that this has been a difficult time for junior doctors and I hope that this reassures them that we have listened to their concerns and that our goal is the same as theirs: to find the right people for the right jobs for the benefit of the NHS, its patients and its staff."
