An Independent Review of Modernising Medical Careers led by Professor Sir John Tooke, DM, FRCP, FMedSci
Sir John Tooke, the Chair of the Independent Inquiry has met the Secretary of State for Health to discuss the Ministerial response to the Panel's Report.
Sir John was assured by the Department's stated commitment to:
– strengthen the health-education partnership at all levels
– sustain the policy of self sufficiency by acceptance of the need
to secure F1 posts for all UK graduates
– deal fairly and effectively with the bulge in would-be specialist trainees
– effect the merger of PMETB and the GMC
– develop national oversight and scrutiny of medical education and training.
However key recommendations relating to the early years of postgraduate training are to be subject to further review with no clear timeline for their resolution.
Sir John said "Whereas I welcome the positive response to many of our recommendations, reform of the first 4 years of postgraduate medical education and training (PGMET) is urgently required. Without it subsequent years cannot be effectively planned. The imminent impact of the European Working Time Directive demands early resolution. In medicine it is sometimes necessary to take decisions in the absence of optimal evidence in the interest of a high quality outcome. This is the case for PGMET.
I believe the MMC Programme Board England is committed to working with the professional bodies to grasp this issue and make the necessary rapid progress. This, and the implementation of the other Recommendations clearly need close scrutiny over the next few months and years. The creation of NHS MEE, which is under active consideration as part of the Next Stage Review will be crucial in this regard"
The full report of Aspiring to Excellence can be found at www.mmcinquiry.org.uk
You can now download a PDF of the report (5.2Mb file).
The Government’s response can be found at www.mmc.nhs.uk