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PM 'must act' in medic jobs row PM 'must act' in medic jobs row
(about 1 hour later)
Tony Blair must step in to avert more chaos over an online job-application system for doctors, the British Medical Association has said.Tony Blair must step in to avert more chaos over an online job-application system for doctors, the British Medical Association has said.
It comes as junior doctors meet in London to debate a motion of no confidence in the team running the Medical Training Application Service.It comes as junior doctors meet in London to debate a motion of no confidence in the team running the Medical Training Application Service.
The MTAS was suspended amid concerns that the personal details of junior doctors could be accessed online.The MTAS was suspended amid concerns that the personal details of junior doctors could be accessed online.
The government says it is working hard to ensure the security of the system.The government says it is working hard to ensure the security of the system.
The system has failed spectacularly, and in so many ways that you almost lose count Jo Hilborne, BMA junior doctors committeeThe system has failed spectacularly, and in so many ways that you almost lose count Jo Hilborne, BMA junior doctors committee
Now, BMA chairman James Johnson has written to Tony Blair warning doctors' anger will grow if the government does not address the problems with MTAS "with the level of urgency they deserve."Now, BMA chairman James Johnson has written to Tony Blair warning doctors' anger will grow if the government does not address the problems with MTAS "with the level of urgency they deserve."
He said the mistakes had the potential to damage patients' confidence in the proposed new database of individual health records.He said the mistakes had the potential to damage patients' confidence in the proposed new database of individual health records.
The latest error to emerge is the experience of Surrey-born doctor, Hua Luk, who was told by MTAS that his application for specialist training had been withdrawn because he did not have the "correct immigration status".The latest error to emerge is the experience of Surrey-born doctor, Hua Luk, who was told by MTAS that his application for specialist training had been withdrawn because he did not have the "correct immigration status".
'Terrible anxiety''Terrible anxiety'
The London Deanery, which sent the message, has apologised for the error and assured him his application has been processed, but he is still worried because he has so far not had any interviews.The London Deanery, which sent the message, has apologised for the error and assured him his application has been processed, but he is still worried because he has so far not had any interviews.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has already apologised for the "terrible anxiety" caused to junior doctors over the scheme.Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has already apologised for the "terrible anxiety" caused to junior doctors over the scheme.
The conference carried a motion calling for Ms Hewitt and health minister Lord Hunt to resign.The conference carried a motion calling for Ms Hewitt and health minister Lord Hunt to resign.
The MTAS computer system has previously been criticised for not allowing candidates to set out their experience, meaning the best candidates have not been selected for interview.The MTAS computer system has previously been criticised for not allowing candidates to set out their experience, meaning the best candidates have not been selected for interview.
But MTAS has also been attacked for having too few jobs for the number of candidates.But MTAS has also been attacked for having too few jobs for the number of candidates.
DOCTORS' TRAINING Under the new system, doctors should achieve consultant level in 11 years instead of 14 The online application process MTAS (Medical Training Application Service) has been heavily criticisedDoctors cited badly designed forms and poor selection methods and warned the best candidates would miss out on jobsAn independent review panel has already recommended a number of changes to MTASDOCTORS' TRAINING Under the new system, doctors should achieve consultant level in 11 years instead of 14 The online application process MTAS (Medical Training Application Service) has been heavily criticisedDoctors cited badly designed forms and poor selection methods and warned the best candidates would miss out on jobsAn independent review panel has already recommended a number of changes to MTAS
Conference delegates passed a motion calling for the National Audit Office to investigate how much public money had been spent on the computer system.Conference delegates passed a motion calling for the National Audit Office to investigate how much public money had been spent on the computer system.
They also called for the system to be scrapped and not used again.
The BMA estimates that 34,250 doctors are chasing 18,500 UK posts, due to start in August.The BMA estimates that 34,250 doctors are chasing 18,500 UK posts, due to start in August.
But it has warned thousands of NHS doctors could go to work abroad because of their disgust at the process.But it has warned thousands of NHS doctors could go to work abroad because of their disgust at the process.
BMA junior doctors committee chairman Jo Hilborne said: "The government is really going to come under fire this weekend.BMA junior doctors committee chairman Jo Hilborne said: "The government is really going to come under fire this weekend.
"There's a cliche about our morale always being at rock bottom, but I don't remember a time when doctors were this angry."There's a cliche about our morale always being at rock bottom, but I don't remember a time when doctors were this angry.
"By far the biggest issue for young doctors is the way they've been messed around by the new recruitment process."By far the biggest issue for young doctors is the way they've been messed around by the new recruitment process.
"The system has failed spectacularly, and in so many ways that you almost lose count."The system has failed spectacularly, and in so many ways that you almost lose count.
"But the fact that the website was left open for anyone to access sensitive personal information was the last straw.""But the fact that the website was left open for anyone to access sensitive personal information was the last straw."
Resignation call
The JDC conference will also debate a "tongue in cheek" motion calling for Patricia Hewitt to be made to resign - and then reapply for her job using the MTAS process.
Dr Hilborne said: "That means that her job would be scrapped and she'd have to re-apply without any of her experience counting, which is basically what the government has asked junior doctors to do."
Dr Hilborne also said the problems with MTAS were not yet fixed.Dr Hilborne also said the problems with MTAS were not yet fixed.
"This week there have been even more problems with the computerised system that is being used to process the applications, to the extent that it has now had to be shut down."This week there have been even more problems with the computerised system that is being used to process the applications, to the extent that it has now had to be shut down.
"And they're working through the weekend to do security checks on it."And they're working through the weekend to do security checks on it.
"This comes after months of problems being raised with the system, and the fact that they haven't yet managed to fix it is extremely worrying.""This comes after months of problems being raised with the system, and the fact that they haven't yet managed to fix it is extremely worrying."
Lord Hunt said the Department of Health was "urgently investigating" the alleged security breaches of the MTAS but that its closure would have "minimal impact on the current round of recruitment".Lord Hunt said the Department of Health was "urgently investigating" the alleged security breaches of the MTAS but that its closure would have "minimal impact on the current round of recruitment".