DoH announces new training and support for junior doctors

The Department of Health (DoH) has announced the launch of a new package of training and support for junior doctors this week. This declaration follows the findings of a Judicial Review into the issue published yesterday.

With plans supported by NHS Employers and deaneries, a set of principles has been established following the judicial review which the recruitment policy will follow, while additional training programmes will also be offered.

Patricia Hewitt, health secretary, said: “We have accepted the recommendation of the review group to create further additional training opportunities for those junior doctors who are appointable to specialist training, but for whom training opportunities may not otherwise be available in this year’s recruitment.”

Interviews for the extended first round of recruitment for junior doctors applying for specialist positions will begin today, with the aim of completing this round by the end of May.

Doctors will receive job offers through their local postgraduate deaneries by June 7th this year, while those making more than one application will be able to wait for all offers to be received before electing to choose which position to take.

In March 2007, health minister Lord Hunt called for a “transparent and fair” recruitment procedure to ensure the procurement of top-quality doctors who will benefit from high standards of training and supervision.