Update on MTAS: Bulletin – 11 May 2007
From Mmc
UPDATE ON MTAS: BULLETIN – 11 TH MAY 2007
I met with representatives from the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology on 9th May. Unfortunately a member of the Department of Health was unavailable but the Lead Dean from Obstetrics and Gynaecology was able to report useful information he gained from a meeting the previous day with the Department of Health. Despite the unavailability of MTAS, Deaneries have been able to offer interviews to revised first preference candidates. Information on second choices was made available to deaneries who requested it on May 4th. Deaneries have tended to be selective, offering second choice interviews only where there were significant concerns regarding under-filling. Posts will not be offered by MTAS but this will be done locally by Deaneries on or after 21st May. If 1a and 1b are completed after 21st May deaneries will be able to release phased competing offers to all those who have achieved scores which justify the offer of a place. The latest date for release of deanery offers is 7th June. Candidates do not have to accept early offers immediately but need to have accepted all offers received between May 21st and June 7th by June 9th. Once a candidate has accepted a post, other deaneries will be informed and will be able to remove that candidate from their list and to make offers to additional candidates. Thereafter candidates must accept or decline offers within 48 hours. The re-offering process can continue until the close of round 1, which will be on 22nd June. We are very concerned that this will leave very little time to fill the vacant posts. The Department of Health has apparently received advice that to extend the contracts of current post holders is not legal and therefore it is necessary to advertise and interview to fill any vacant posts. It may be helpful to ensure your Deanery is ready to advertise vacancies, should this be necessary, as soon as we have the outcome of round 1 is known,. Deaneries may also wish to consider working together as all are likely to be trying to fill posts from the same pool of candidates. Whilst cascading of outcomes is not allowable for those applying through MTAS this could be used for locum posts provided this is made clear to the applicants. We still have no news on the timing of round 2. It has however been suggested that specialties can influence the process. We are unlikely to be able to make major changes but may be able to change the scoring of the form. This will be a major topic of discussion for the joint Regional Advisors, Programme Directors meeting on 6th June. We know how busy you all are but we hope you will make every attempt to attend as we need your expertise and advice.
Mary McGraw Vice president training and Assessment
