The Witch Doctor is extremely perplexed regarding MTAS/MMC. It is very difficult to understand how something as flawed could reach a very advanced stage before going askew. Colleges, Deaneries, the BMA, the Great and the Good of the medical profession were all party to its implementation.
Was there a consultation exercise that all medical staff could easily access?
There is a page on the Department of Health Website where all documents that are currently undergoing a consultation exercise can be accessed. The origninal document, and a consultation form can be downloaded. It appears that anyone can respond in these exercises and the response can even be anonymous.
Department of Health Live Consultations
From this page it is also possible to search for all consultation exercises that are now closed.
A search of the open and closed consultation sections using the terms “MMC” or “MTAS” Yielded no results. The term “Modernising Medical Careers” resulted in the following three relevant consultation documents:
1. A DOCUMENT DEALING WITH NCCG DOCTORS
Choice and opportunity: Modernising medical careers for non-consultant career grade doctors.
This document has very important implications regarding not only medical careers but the future organisation of the NHS ih general. I believe it is a key document. It may however have been overlooked because it looks as if it is only dealing with Associate Specialists, Staff Grade, and Clinical Assistant doctors. ie the lost tribes who in the past have not generated much interest.
2. PMTEB
Department of Health: Medical training in the UK.
This consultation sets out draft legislation to establish the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) as a statutory body which will act as the professional UK competent authority to supervise postgraduate medical education and training.
3. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY ISSUES
This document outlines the key equality and diversity challenges facing the medical workforce over the next 5 years, highlights good practice where it exists and seeks views and comments from stakeholders on how best to tackle these issues.
Its worth keeping an eye on this part of the House of Commons Website.
