Government reveals shortcomings in MMC programme

The department of health has revealed the shortcomings of its Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) recruitment programme following a review.

A review group, which included representatives of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and the British Medical Association, advised that the interview process should allow applicants to provide CVs and portfolios in support of their applications.

Information about competition, feedback on how applicants can improve their applications for the second round, information about sources of support for applicants and the Frequently Asked Questions page on the medical training application service website were further areas earmarked for improvement.

Health minister Lord Hunt said: “I welcome this review and thank everyone on the team who worked so hard to find a way forward.”

He added: “I know that this has been a difficult time for junior doctors and I hope that this reassures them that we have listened to their concerns and that our goal is the same as theirs – to find the right people for the right jobs for the benefit of the NHS, its patients and its staff.”

Some junior doctors who have expressed fears that they have been overlooked in the first round will be given the opportunity to have their application form reviewed by a trained advisor from a Deanery.