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Doctors taking jobs row to court 'Scrap' junior doctors job system
(about 7 hours later)
A judicial review of the computerised application system for junior doctor posts is to start in the High Court. Campaigners want the computerised junior doctors application system scrapped, the High Court has heard.
On Tuesday, ministers said the widely criticised MTAS system would not be used again this year once the first round of recruitment was completed. A judicial review was told that the new Medical Training Application Services (MTAS) was so unfair that it amounted to an "abuse of power".
But doctors' pressure group Remedy UK wants the whole process scrapped and the old CV-based system reinstated until a new solution can be found. Junior doctor pressure group Remedy wants medics to be consulted over what should replace it, the review into the handling of the system was told.
But the British Medical Association says this will only create more chaos. It comes after MTAS has been dogged by controversy in recent months.
MTAS (Medical Training Application Service) was introduced as part of the Modernising Medical Careers initiative aimed at cutting the number of years of training needed for doctors to reach consultant level. Training
The form was a completely inappropriate way of assessing doctors Matt Jameson Evans The system was introduced as part of the Modernising Medical Careers initiative aimed at cutting the number of years of training needed for doctors to reach consultant level.
It was designed to speed up the selection process, but doctors said the forms were badly worded, did not ask pertinent questions or allow them to set out relevant qualifications and experience, and had no facility for attaching a CV.It was designed to speed up the selection process, but doctors said the forms were badly worded, did not ask pertinent questions or allow them to set out relevant qualifications and experience, and had no facility for attaching a CV.
This resulted in many doctors not being selected for their first-choice hospital, and a significant number not getting any interviews at all.This resulted in many doctors not being selected for their first-choice hospital, and a significant number not getting any interviews at all.
Junior doctors applying to start their specialist training this year are having to compete with those who are part way through their training under the old system for a limited number of training posts.Junior doctors applying to start their specialist training this year are having to compete with those who are part way through their training under the old system for a limited number of training posts.
It means over 30,000 doctors are chasing 23,000 jobs.It means over 30,000 doctors are chasing 23,000 jobs.
Following a review, the government guaranteed every applicant an interview for their first preference post.Following a review, the government guaranteed every applicant an interview for their first preference post.
Recruitment
And ministers have also announced that after the first recruitment round, MTAS will not be used again this year, leaving follow-up recruitment rounds probably involving about 7,000 posts dependent on more traditional CVs.And ministers have also announced that after the first recruitment round, MTAS will not be used again this year, leaving follow-up recruitment rounds probably involving about 7,000 posts dependent on more traditional CVs.
However, Remedy UK argues the whole process - including the first round of recruitment - was unlawful, and should be scrapped. However, Remedy UK argues the whole process - including the first round of recruitment should be scrapped.
Dr Matt Jameson Evans, of Remedy UK, said: "The form was a completely inappropriate way of assessing doctors." The group has argued that there was no way to compare interviews that took place now, with those that were held during the first round in February.
MTAS was introduced to recruit trainee consultants Thomas de la Mare, representing Remedy in the High Court, said key decisions with a direct and serious impact on doctors were being made "without any form of notice or consultation".
He said there was no way to compare interviews that took place now, with those that were held during the first round in February. In a court packed with junior doctors and their supporters, he said MTAS was now "so conspicously unfair as to amount to an abuse of power".
The group will claim that changing the system halfway through the process, as well as continuing to rely on "defective" decisions and interviews made before the review group met all amounts to an abuse of power. And he said it was mystifying why the British Medical Association, the doctors' trade union body, was not supporting its call.
New proposals The BMA has argued scrapping the system at this stage would just "pronlong the agony".
Remedy UK suggests the posts allocated via the MTAS scheme for August should be made temporary training posts, so that next year the old system can be used to process applications for the full posts. The hearing continues.
They hope this will limit the damage and mean no doctor's career is irreversibly ruined.
A British Medical Association spokesman said: "MTAS has caused huge misery to doctors and their families, and we share the concerns of Remedy UK.
"The BMA has a duty to represent its members and we have tried to work towards a solution which sees doctors appointed to the right posts while minimising further anxiety, burden to the profession, and risk to patients.
"Doctors need to be in post on 1 August, and we believe that scrapping the MTAS system now would only create more chaos and prolong the agony."
A Department of Health spokesperson said the department was unable to comment on judicial review before it had happened.