The House of Commons Health Select Committee has announced that it will hold an inquiry into the government?s Modernising Medical Careers programme (MMC) and the Medical Training Application Service (MTAS).
Responding to the announcement Dr Andrew Rowland, vice chairman of the BMA Junior Doctors Committee, says:
?We are pleased that the Health Select Committee has responded to our call for an inquiry. Junior doctors should never again have to go through the chaos and uncertainty they?ve experienced this year. Workforce planning is crucial if we are to avoid medical unemployment in the future.?
Dr Jonathan Fielden, chairman of the BMA Consultants Committee, says:
?Key issues for the inquiry must include improvements to the appointments process and the need for close consultation with doctors – both trainees and trainers. These are both essential if we are to have a system that allows the best candidates to demonstrate their excellence.
?It is very important that we maintain the highest standards of patient care by ensuring that training produces high quality consultants and GPs. This inquiry must highlight the risks of dumbing down as a result of the disastrous implementation of MMC.?
Professor Michael Rees, chairman of the BMA Medical Academic Staff Committee, says:
?Hopefully this will be a step towards a far better system of training doctors ? one which recognises the importance of academic skills to the medical profession. MMC has so far completely let down doctors who want to pursue careers in teaching and research.?