Norman Lamb

From Mmc

07 March 07'

Following last night’s Government announcement of a review into the Medical Training Application Service for junior doctors, the Liberal Democrats have tabled a motion in Parliament calling for action to restore confidence in the system.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP will tonight meet representatives from the British Medical Association Junior Doctors Committee to discuss the issue.

Commenting, Norman Lamb said:

"This review is too little too late.

"Yet again, the Government has rammed through reform in the NHS without testing it or bringing on board the people it would affect and been forced to backtrack when things go wrong.

"Doctors have been expressing their concerns about the system since last summer but the Government refused to listen.

"We now have many newly qualified doctors disillusioned with the system and on the verge of being driven away from this country. That is a criminal waste of talent and of the money spent on their training to date.

"This recruitment round must be suspended immediately in order to salvage any remaining confidence in the system.

"How can interviews continue when the selection process is clearly flawed?"

Applicability: this item refers to the UK.