Scotland's Junior Doctors Outline Way Forward For Recruitment But Warn Of Impending Problems For Next Year
BMA Scotland is keen to ensure that the disasters of this year's MTAS and MMC system*, which caused months of confusion and uncertainty for many junior doctors, are not repeated.
With next year's application process on the horizon, BMA Scotland is calling for a commitment from the Scottish Government to work in partnership with junior doctors to minimise the effects that a further disastrous application system could have on another group of young doctors embarking on a career in the NHS.
In order to ensure that the views of junior doctors are considered as part of the way forward, BMA Scotland recently surveyed trainee medics in Scotland on the future of recruitment and selection to specialty training. Junior doctors will present the findings at a national workshop, hosted by NHS Education for Scotland (NES), where representatives of NHS and Government will be discussing future processes for medical training recruitment.
It is clear from the survey that, regardless of whether or not Scotland is part of a UK wide system, trainees want the application processes across the four countries to work to the same timetable.
Junior doctors recognised the advantages of devolving the implementation of MMC to Scotland although they were angered and disillusioned with the inability to resolve some issues. It is, therefore, vital that Scotland is able to retain a high degree of flexibility in the implementation of any new process to enable the most effective system possible.
The survey found that:
- Although respondents were split on whether Scotland should be part of a UK wide process, almost 70% were strongly in favour of a timescale that is the same as the rest of the UK.
- Over 60% felt that Scotland should not be a single unit of application for specialty training programmes. This would mean that, unlike this year, applicants would be able to apply to more than one post in the same specialty in Scotland.
- Almost three quarters thought that future applicants to specialty training should not be restricted in the number of applications they can make. This was limited to four in 2007.
- Two thirds indicated that the recruitment and selection process to specialty training in Scotland should operate twice a year.
- Almost all respondents agreed that the future recruitment and selection process to specialty training in Scotland should include a CV, an interview and references.
- The majority of respondents said appointments to specialty training posts above ST1 should be available in the future, to enable those in FTSTAs, existing SHOs, SAS grades and trainees currently in research to enter a training programme at a higher level.
Alan Robertson, Chair of the BMA's Scottish Junior Doctors Committee, said:
"We welcome the opportunity to present the views of junior doctors to the Government; it is crucial these are taken into account when drawing up proposals for the future of specialty training.
"We cannot afford to see a re-run of the disasters of this year's application process and any new system must be both workable and flexible for Scotland. The only way to deliver meaningful change will be to work with those who the process has affected, and will affect in the future, to develop a system that encourages doctors who want to live and work in Scotland, not drive them from our NHS.
"The problems highlighted in the 2007 application process, which are far from over, have demonstrated the need for plans to be put in place that have been robustly tested before they are implemented.
"We welcomed the Scottish Government's willingness to work with the medical profession in trying to find solutions to the problems this year. The Government must continue to work with us to ensure that the application process for 2008, which is fast approaching, does not mirror this year's disaster and further demoralise those starting out in their medical careers."
* 'MTAS' stands for Medical Training Application Service - the online application system used as part of the Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) process for recruiting doctors to specialty training posts in 2007.
1. NES is hosting a Modernising Medical Careers national workshop today on the way forward for MMC in Scotland. The workshop is being held to evaluate this year's recruitment and selection to Foundation and Specialty Training in Scotland and to look at the lessons learned and discuss future arrangements.
2. The BMA's Scottish Junior Doctors committee (SJDC) issued a survey to junior doctors in August seeking their views on the future recruitment and selection to specialty training in Scotland. Junior doctors were asked questions about their views on the future recruitment and selection structure and application process, the future of the fixed term specialty training appointment (FTSTA) posts, progression through specialty training programmes, participation in and outcome of 2007 recruitment process and socio-demographic questions. The findings will be presented to the NES workshop.
3. The results of the survey will be available from Tuesday 2 October here
British Medical Association
Scotland's Junior Medicii Outline calea de urmat pentru recrutarea Dar Warn Din iminente probleme pentru anul viitor - Scotland's Junior Doctors Outline Way Forward For Recruitment But Warn Of Impending Problems For Next Year - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate