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Rescue package for doctors leaked Rescue package for doctors leaked
(20 minutes later)
A rescue plan for doctors unable to get a training post under a controversial new system has being drawn up by NHS managers, the BBC has learned.A rescue plan for doctors unable to get a training post under a controversial new system has being drawn up by NHS managers, the BBC has learned.
A leaked document reveals a number of ideas, including asking a charity if it could take doctors to work overseas.A leaked document reveals a number of ideas, including asking a charity if it could take doctors to work overseas.
There has been intense criticism of the system, which is set to leave thousands of doctors without training posts.There has been intense criticism of the system, which is set to leave thousands of doctors without training posts.
NHS bosses say there will be jobs - but doctors complain these posts will not involve any training.NHS bosses say there will be jobs - but doctors complain these posts will not involve any training.
Volunteering has always been popular among NHS staff Sian Thomas, NHS EmployersVolunteering has always been popular among NHS staff Sian Thomas, NHS Employers
Medics may also be able to retake the last year of the foundation training scheme they have just completed.Medics may also be able to retake the last year of the foundation training scheme they have just completed.
NHS Employers drew up the proposals after it was estimated there have been around 10,000 more applications than there are jobs for trainees.NHS Employers drew up the proposals after it was estimated there have been around 10,000 more applications than there are jobs for trainees.
Between 500 and 1,300 of those doctors about to finish their foundation training, and will be the focus of the rescue scheme.Between 500 and 1,300 of those doctors about to finish their foundation training, and will be the focus of the rescue scheme.
The other applicants will be in the equivalent "old-fashioned" post of senior house officer or working in other roles in the NHS, perhaps as locum doctors or in long-term non-training posts. Some applicants will be working outside the NHS.The other applicants will be in the equivalent "old-fashioned" post of senior house officer or working in other roles in the NHS, perhaps as locum doctors or in long-term non-training posts. Some applicants will be working outside the NHS.
'Discrimination''Discrimination'
Jo Hilborne, chair of the British Medical Association's junior doctors committee, said: "The government can no longer deny the seriousness of this crisis.Jo Hilborne, chair of the British Medical Association's junior doctors committee, said: "The government can no longer deny the seriousness of this crisis.
"As a matter of urgency, the Health Secretary must guarantee that no doctor in training will be denied a career in the NHS as a result of poor workforce planning." "As a matter of urgency, the health secretary must guarantee that no doctor in training will be denied a career in the NHS as a result of poor workforce planning."
She said the charity Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) was a respected organisation which many individual doctors chose to join.She said the charity Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) was a respected organisation which many individual doctors chose to join.
We all relish the opportunity to work abroad but the idea that you can use this to bolster a failed government policy is ludicrous Remedy UK spokesmanWe all relish the opportunity to work abroad but the idea that you can use this to bolster a failed government policy is ludicrous Remedy UK spokesman
But she said it was "just humorous" to suggest VSO posts as an alternative to an NHS training jobs.But she said it was "just humorous" to suggest VSO posts as an alternative to an NHS training jobs.
A spokesman for Remedy UK said: "Categorising people into different priorities in this way will make doctors feel discriminated against instantly. A spokesman for the grassroots doctors organisation Remedy UK said: "We all relish the opportunity to work abroad but the idea that you can use this to bolster a failed government policy is ludicrous."
He added: "We all relish the opportunity to work abroad but the idea that you can use this to bolster a failed government policy is ludicrous."
NHS Employers deputy director Sian Thomas said it was "disappointing" that the discussions on this issue had been leaked.NHS Employers deputy director Sian Thomas said it was "disappointing" that the discussions on this issue had been leaked.
She said: "A key objective has been to maximise opportunities for those who are not successful in securing a training place, ensuring that valuable skills are retained and that staff have all the support they need.
"Volunteering has always been popular among NHS staff, with the relevant experience, who have a lot to give and a lot to gain from a period of working in other countries."
ApologyApology
But a Department of Health spokesman said: "We have no plans to arrange for trainee doctors from the NHS to do voluntary service with VSO and we do not expect thousands of doctors currently working in the NHS to be facing unemployed in August.
"Speciality training posts in the UK are very highly-skilled, so there will always be competition for these posts, but these are only training posts, and there are still jobs in the NHS for other doctors.
"Most VSO voluntary posts require three to five years post-registration experience, so would not be an option for trainee doctors."
A spokesman for VSO confirmed it had been approached by the Department of Health, but said there was currently no plan to take trainee doctors.A spokesman for VSO confirmed it had been approached by the Department of Health, but said there was currently no plan to take trainee doctors.
DOCTORS' RECRUITMENT Modernising Medical Careers was introduced to speed up doctors' training - from 14 years to 11Its online application process was criticised for failing to select the best candidates, with many not getting interviewsDoctors can now select a new first choice - and are guaranteed an interviewA new type of training post will be created for surgeons, due to excessive demand for placesDOCTORS' RECRUITMENT Modernising Medical Careers was introduced to speed up doctors' training - from 14 years to 11Its online application process was criticised for failing to select the best candidates, with many not getting interviewsDoctors can now select a new first choice - and are guaranteed an interviewA new type of training post will be created for surgeons, due to excessive demand for places
He added that the organisation usually wanted more experienced doctors who could pass on their experience and knowledge to workers in developing countries. The online application process, MTAS, is part of the Modernising Medical Careers programme, aimed at shortening the time a doctor spends in training from 14 to 11 years.
MTAS is the online application process which is part of the Modernising Medical Careers programme, aimed at shortening the time a doctor spends in training from 14 to 11 years.
Doctors have had to use the MTAS system to apply for specialist training posts.
But complaints include a badly designed application form, and poor selection of candidates for interview.
The government has already announced two reviews of MTAS - one which looks at this year's applications and one which looks at what changes there should be in the future.The government has already announced two reviews of MTAS - one which looks at this year's applications and one which looks at what changes there should be in the future.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has already apologised for the problems.Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has already apologised for the problems.