Written question asked by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour) on Monday, 26 March 2007.

Health: Doctors

Question: How those doctors who do not secure posts in the current Medical Training Application Service round can view the scores afforded to their application forms.

Answer: Recruitment to specialty and general practitioner training programmes this year is, for the first time, through the online Medical Training Application Service (MTAS) and to a nationally agreed timetable. This process consists of two recruitment rounds. The independent review group led by Professor Neil Douglas has recommended that applicants who have not been invited to an interview should be given the opportunity to have their application form reviewed by a trained medical adviser. The review group has also recommended that further advice and information should be made available as quickly as possible for applicants. The department has accepted that this will include: information about competition ratios by specialty, entry level and geography; the process and timetable for making applications in the second round plus generic guidance about what panels will be looking for; generic feedback on how applicants can improve their applications for the second round; information about sources of support for applicants; and enhanced frequently asked questions on the MTAS website, building on feedback from the first round. The next stage of the review will consider what further arrangements might be needed for the support and care of applicants. Applicants who believe that they have been disadvantaged by the way their application has been managed can lodge a complaint at the end of the second round.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 2505; 690 c239-40WA
Session: 2006-07
Subjects: Complaints Applications Resident doctors Interviews NHS Recruitment Training
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk