Richard Bacon
From Mmc
30 March 07
Local MP meets with Norfolk & Norwich Hospital consultants
Mess President South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon has met with consultants at the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital to discuss a range of issues, including the crisis in junior doctor’s training.
Mr Bacon heard how almost a third of junior doctors in Norfolk have potentially been left without jobs by a new system of applying for training places.
All applications for specialist training must now go via the new online Medical Training Application System (MTAS). The system asks doctors a series of questions, scoring them on their responses. However, doctors cannot attach a CV or list their skills and experience, meaning consultants short-listing for interviews cannot distinguish between a good candidate and a poor one.
Many junior doctors are either being forced to look overseas to continue their training, or are leaving medicine altogether.
Mr Bacon said: “I share the concerns of both consultants and junior doctors over the government's Medical Training Application System, which appears to have succeeded only in undermining the stability of medicine as a profession, leaving junior doctors uncertain of their future and hospital departments struggling to hang on to experienced and valued staff”.
“I have written to the Comptroller and Auditor General and head of the National Audit Office Sir John Bourn, and asked him to investigate whether the Modernising Medical Careers initiative and the introduction of MTAS has provided value for money”.
