Royal College of Surgeons
From Mmc
2 march 2007
"The College has had a number of concerns about Modernising Medical Careers, not least the implications of the new specialist training arrangements for those currently in the senior house officer grade. Many in this grade have postgraduate qualifications and some years of surgical experience; a significant number would have expected in due course to be appointed to a specialist registrar post. We sought, with considerable determination but limited success, an increase in the number of national training numbers in surgery over the next few years to enable as many as possible of this group to progress. Reference has been made to this in presidential newsletters and other publications.
The College has become aware over the last few weeks of a number of fundamental difficulties, technical and procedural, that have led to a crisis of confidence in the Medical Training Application Service. In addition to technical problems with the website and the electronic application process itself, there has been (a) criticism of some of the questions asked; (b) concern that qualifications have not been taken into account; (c) concern about the adequacy of training for assessors; (d) cases quoted of inconsistent rating of individuals and (e) errors in conveying the outcome and subsequent arrangements to applicants.
The President, the Vice-Presidents and members of Council are aware of this serious situation and sympathise with all of those concerned. The College is presently gathering factual information relating to these concerns to provide a fuller picture of the nature and extent of the problem. The matter has already been brought to the attention of the Secretary of State for Health and the Chairman of COPMED and it is being raised at the meeting of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges next week. We are currently seeking clarification from COPMED whom we hope will consider revising the process before the second round.
A further update will be sent to Fellows and Members when the position has been clarified. In the meantime, please be assured the College is doing everything it can to ensure that this highly unsatisfactory situation is addressed urgently."
