Monday, May 07, 2007

The Medical Heroes Unite


An open letter has been sent to Consultants, on behalf of: Prof Morris Brown (Cambridge), Dr Mei Nortley (London), Dr Helen Wise (Wessex), Dr Sarah Spencer (Bridgend, Wales), Dr Chris Allen (Cambridge), Dr Gordon Caldwell (Worthing), and many other concerned consultant and junior doctor colleagues in the UK. Parts of it are reproduced here:
"Many of you find yourselves in the position, at once enviable and difficult, of having more say now over the fate of the Juniors than the DoH mandarins and quangos who have ridden roughshod over just process and individual rights. This opportunity arises because MTAS cannot proceed without the collaboration of Consultants in the round 1b interviews. Some of you will be well aware of the flaws and injustices of MTAS, and just need to know your views are shared by the majority of colleagues. We have conducted an online poll at http://www.cai.cam.ac.uk/people/mjb14/ which shows that 81% of 813 Consultants and 85% of 2422 Juniors want a Consultant boycott...
The week-long shut-down of the MTAS computer due to leaks of confidential information has added to both the agony of applicants awaiting news of interviews and to the incredulity that this untried system will deliver matching of applicants and posts – with sensitivity to the needs of partners and families – by 1 st August. Channel4 News has reported that "Hundreds of junior doctors in Scotland have had details of interviews lost in the latest IT chaos to hit the NHS". Their full report can be viewed at here.We believe that the spiralling debacle of MTAS and our poll results will embolden Consultants to follow those in Trusts and specialties who have already declared themselves against further participation in MTAS interviews. The sooner this happens, the sooner Deaneries can activate their contingency plans for a temporary solution, and a revised date for the August changeover can be set, thus preventing any further harm to our service to patients...
We believe the recent intransigence over revisions to MTAS make it essential to halt any MMC appointments before a thorough Review is complete. Otherwise we will be told it is too late or illegal to make major changes."
I would like to thank all those consultants taking an interest and leading the way in making medical history. Their actions are both appreciated and needed and I hope they are heeded.
We all know that Patricia Hewitt's days are numbered leaving someone to fill her shoes, all be it messy shoes. As everyone seems to be predicting who will take over from Patricia Hewitt, anyone interested in my bet - it would be Ed Balls!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't think Gordo wold land his friend and protege with health. Try Milliband. Or whichever of Benn, Blears and Hain don't get deputy leadership

Anonymous said...

Why aren’t you striking?! Haven’t you had enough?!! What are you going to lose?! Everyone thinks ‘it won’t be me!’ Oh, yes it will, even if it ain’t you this year, it sure will be you next year! Looking forward to 8 June, are you!