This page provides the latest news on medical workforce issues, including Modernising Medical Careers and entry to specialty and foundation training, the Working Time Directive, regulation and revalidation and current views on the future of the medical workforce. Please bookmark this page and check back regularly for the most up to date news.
Managing medical vacancies - a framework for employers
8 December 2008
NHS Employers has revised our framework for trusts to support them in managing medical vacancies. Following our research in October 2008 that highlighted some employers were experiencing difficulty in securing medical locum cover, this framework draws together a range options and possible solutions to these difficulties currently being used and considered across the NHS. The full framework is available in the specialty & GP training section of our MMC web pages.
Event: Creating foundation programmes of the future
4 December 2008
This free event on 15 January 2009 in London will examine the development of the Foundation Programme in the context a number evolving workforce requirements.
'Creating Foundation Programmes of the Future' will bring together a range of high level policy makers, SHA chief executives, workforce leads, postgraduate deans, royal college representatives, foundation school directors, foundation training programme directors, directors of medical education and representatives from the UKFPO, GMC and PMETB.
Further information, including how to book is available on the UK Foundation Programme website events page.
2009 specialty training recruitment details live
1 December 2008
The 2009 recruitment to specialty training section is now live on the MMC website. It contains the timetable for action, a new applicant guide (including 2008 competition ratios) and information on how recruitment is being handled by each specialty, either nationally or through local deaneries. The information means that trusts can begin to make arrangements to release staff involved in the recruitment and selection process. It will also be useful for local careers advisers and clinical tutors to use alongside the new NHS Medical Careers website, which describes career prospects and workforce trends in each specialty. Potential applicants should be directed to these websites for the latest information.
Medical workforce forum welcomes new chair
1 December 2008
Andrew Horne takes over as chair of NHS Employers' medical workforce forum from 1 December 2008, when Simon Pleydell moves into the role of chair of the NHS Employers policy board. Andrew is chief executive at Medway NHS Foundation Trust, a post he has held since 2002. He was previously chief executive of South Downs Health NHS Trust, providing community, mental health and rehabilitation services in and around Brighton. Andrew started in the NHS in 1975 working as a finance clerk in Avon AHA and worked his way up the finance and managerial hierarchy in a number of different posts and organisations in Bristol, Shrewsbury, Bath and Brighton. We welcome him to this challenging leadership role, where he'll be promoting service input into ongoing discussions on future structures, education and training provision, and career pathways for medical staff. See our medical workforce forum page for more information about its work.
Specialty training recruitment 2009
24 November 2008
Overall there will be some 7,120 posts available in 2,009 compared with 9,269 in 2008. This comprises 6,580 posts at ST1 (in hospital and GP training - up from 6,184 in 2008) and 540 at ST2 (down from 2,256). Application numbers are likely to remain the same at around 19,000 so competition ratios will be greater.
There will be very limited opportunity for open competition to ST3 posts in 2009. Although Postgraduate Deans believe there are sufficient posts at ST3 to accommodate those current doctors exiting ST2 with run through promises (meeting the commitment made to these doctors when they entered such programmes) there is limited headroom beyond that. So it is unlikely there will be many ST3 places available for national competition, and doctors will have less choice about the posts they are offered within their existing Deanery. Employers, clinical tutors and others therefore need to be aware in advising doctors that if they turn down a post offered to meet a run through commitment they will have limited opportunity to re-enter ST3 in national competition in 2009.
Recommendations from the MMC Programme Board on the overall number of training posts - including commissioning new posts and de-commissioning in some specialties - would need executive approval from the NHS Board through its Workforce Availability Planning Group which can then effect implementation. See our specialty training page for more details.
Foundation Programme 2009
24 November 2008
Applications for 2009 recruitment closed on 7 November. Figures indicate that there will be fewer applicants than the number of trust posts currently available at FY1. This is a repeat of the situation that occurred in 2008. In order to manage this situation early, and reduce the number of posts that remain unfilled at the end of the process, the decision has been made to cut 120 posts across all Foundation Schools (6 each - except North Yorkshire East Coast). It is still anticipated that around 90 per cent of applicants will achieve their first choice. Discussions about the number of places commissioned for 2010 will commence in the new year. Foundation Schools will be expected to work with employers to achieve the reduction. See our Foundation Programme page for more details.
Core medical and GP training programmes' assessment day
17 November 2008
The annual assessment day for junior doctors wishing to apply for general practice in 2009 will be 21 February 2009. For the first time, all applicants for core medical training will be required to attend an assessment centre on this day as part of the application process for this training programme. The MMC Programme Board estimates that the majority of F2 doctors are likely to wish to attend an assessment centre on 21 February and will need to be released from rotas on this day. Failure to attend an assessment centre will jeopardise their application for training in either programme. Further information and details about nationally co-ordinated recruitment schemes can be found in the specialty and GP training section of our MMC web pages.
Recruitment for academic clinical fellows
14 November
The 2009 recruitment scheme for academic clinical fellows was launched on 14 November under the coordination of the National Institute for Health Research. Full details including the timetable, sample application form and guidance for applicants, deaneries and programme hosts can be found at on the National Institute for Health Research website. Closing date for applications will be 5 December 2008.
Medical training and careers - the employers' vision
7 November 2008
Launched at the 2008 NHS Employers annual conference and exhibition this week, this briefing sets out the employers' vision for the future direction of medical careers, ensuring that we are training the doctors that we need to provide high quality healthcare for all. The briefing looks at how employers envisage each section of the medical workforce developing and outlines what is needed to make this vision a reality.
The consultant contract programme
6 November 2008
This new briefing summarises the findings, successes and learning from the NHS Employers' large scale workforce change (LSWC) consultant contract programme. The programme ran from October 2007 to June 2008 and aimed to support trusts and consultant to identify, describe and deliver service improvements through the effective implementation of the consultant contract.
Recruitment to MMC specialty training 2009
27 October 2008
The MMC Programme Board has agreed some key changes to specialty training programme recruitment for 2009, recommending the use of national recruitment for a range of specialties.
Applications for emergency medicine, core medical training, psychiatry, trauma and orthopaedics will now be managed on a national level, similar to arrangements already in place for obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics and general practice. Urology will join the list of smaller specialties that recruit nationally: cardiothoracic surgery, genetics, histopathology, neurophysiology, neurosurgery, plastic surgery and public health. Applications for other programmes will be locally managed by the deaneries.
Recruitment will begin from 5 January 2009, with the first round expected to be completed by 22 May. More detailed information will be published on the MMC website when it becomes available.
Locum availability - research summary
20 October 2008
In the light of ongoing reports from employers experiencing difficulties in securing locum cover, NHS Employers carried out research in September 2008 into how organisations were managing to cover vacancies in their medical workforce. Our research indicates that demand for doctors is currently greater than supply, although the evidence suggests that employers are currently managing well with a range of local arrangements in place to ensure continuity of care. A full summary is now available in our MMC section. Further advice to support employers in managing gaps in medical cover will be published within the next few weeks.
International recruitment and IMGs
20 October 2008
Current immigration rules restrict access to UK post-graduate medical training for most international medical graduates' (IMGs) who applied for a visa to live and work in the UK based on their skills (Tier 1 (General) and HSMP) after 6 February 2008. However, for vacancies which are difficult to fill, the Tier 2 (employer sponsorship) arrangements under the new points based immigration system can be used to recruit non UK/EEA doctors into training and non-training posts, provided that the 'resident labour market' test is met. Employers must be registered as a sponsoring body to do this. Further information can be found in the international recruitment section of this website.
Responsible officer consultation
29 September 2008
NHS Employers are currently seeking employers' views to feed into the Department of Health consultation on the role and function of the Responsible Officer in medical revalidation. To have your say, please complete our short online questionnaire by 13 October.
International Medical Workforce conference 2008
22 September 2008
NHS Employers were invited to present a paper at the 11th International Medical Workforce Collaborative (IMWC) conference held last week in Edinburgh. The IMWC brings together policy makers, academics, researchers and practitioners from the United States, Canada, Australia and United Kingdom with responsibility for and interests in medical workforce issues. David Grantham, Head of Programmes at NHS Employers, presented the UK perspective on the conference theme: Self-Sufficiency and International Medical Graduates. The paper, Towards self-sufficiency in the supply of medical staff - UK perspective, details the policies which led to the significant expansion in the numbers of UK trained doctors since 1997 and the implications this now presents for the future medical workforce. A full copy of the paper, and all the papers discussed at the conference, can be downloaded from the IMWC website.
Review of GP training
8 September 2008
Following recommendations made by the Tooke inquiry, the Royal College of General Practitioners is undertaking a review of the case for extending GP training from three to five years. NHS Employers has been asked to provide evidence to the review and is seeking your comments by 22 September to ensure that our submission accurately reflects the views of employers. For further information, including how to respond, please see our Review of GP training page.
Revised PMETB standards
4 September 2008
The Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) has published three updated standards as part of their review of its quality assurance publications, including:
- generic standards for training
- standards for curricula and assessment systems
- standards for deaneries.
Further information and copies of the new standards publications can be found on the PMETB website.
Planning the future for medical training - the employers' perspective
26 August 2008
NHS Employers hosted a series of half day workshops across England throughout July 2008. Over 200 employers attended the events to learn about plans for medical training in 2009 and express their views to help form strategies for the longer term future. A summary of the workshops, including copies of presentations and background information circulated at the events, is now available in the Events section of our website. An overview of employers' discussions about the future for medical training and career structures can be found in the Medical Workforce section.
Changes to the Points-based immigration system
21 August 2008
Changes to the Points Based system being introduced by the UK Border Agency this year will be reflected in future MMC recruitment arrangements for both Foundation and Specialty Training applicants. Recruiters wishing to learn more should visit immigration rules latest news section of this website.
DH publishes response to IMG consultation
1 August 2008
The Department of Health has published the outcome of its recent consultation on proposals for managing applications from medical graduates from outside the European Economic Area. The DH response notes that there is considerable support for some form of intervention in managing medical migration, but a range of views of what form that intervention should take. DH now proposes to keep the current temporary immigration rules in place while working with other Government departments to develop a sustainable approach that supports training opportunities for UK graduates without losing the benefits brought by international medical graduate to the NHS.
First round recruitment to specialty training
23 July 2008
The MMC Programme Board heard today that an average of 85 per cent of specialty training programme vacancies were filled during the first round of recruitment in 2008. Deaneries have been running additional recruitment campaigns since the first round closed on 16 May 2008 and are confident of filling the majority of remaining posts prior to the start of changeovers from 5 August.
Electronic employee records
16 July 2008
Employers are encouraged to record the outcome of CRB disclosure checks on electronic systems where these are available, e.g. Electronic Staff Record (ESR) or Occupational Health Smart Card database (OHSC). Information recorded should include:
- the fact a check has been carried out
- date of the disclosure
- reference number of disclosure
- the outcome of the check.
This will enable the information to be passed to any subsequent employer, and can help satisfy audit checks or verify a copy of a disclosure which may be presented to a new employer by an individual doctor at a later date. Details of the actual information revealed in a disclosure should not be retained as part of any permanent record but can be retained in secure conditions for the duration of employment, or up to six months beyond. Further information on CRB disclosures can be found the NHS Employers' guide 'Criminal Record Checks', part of the NHS Employment Checks Standards.
PMETB future doctors review survey
9 July 2008
As part of its future doctors review work programme, PMETB has contacted trust chief executives to ascertain their perception of the content and delivery of specialty training. Responses to this survey are critical to their understanding employers' needs for training. If your trust hasn't yet responded, please download, complete and return your survey to rachel.noble@pmetb.org.uk by Thursday 18 July 2008.
DH response to Health Select Committee report on MMC
7 July 2008
The Health Select Committee published their report into Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) on 8th May 2008. The Government has now set out its response to the conclusions and recommendations of that report.
Gold Guide - 2008 edition published
30 June 2008
The 2008 edition of 'A reference guide for postgraduate specialty training in the UK' (the Gold Guide) and its core training supplement have been published by the Department of Health's MMC team. The new edition reflects decisions endorsed by the MMC UK Coordinating Group that will affect trainees taking up specialty training appointments from 6 August 2008 onwards. These are:
- the introduction of "uncoupled" training in some specialties
- the requirement for deaneries to develop a separate numbering system for core trainees and FTSTAs.
Trainees who took up appointments in specialty training between 1 August 2007
and 5 August 2008 will continue to be covered by the 2007 edition of the guide.
Foundation programme 2009
27 June 2008
The UK Foundation Programme Office has released details of the eligibility criteria and timeline for recruitment to foundation training programmes for 2009. Key dates include:
- Receipt of eligibility assessment papers: 4 August to midday on 5 September 2008
- Applications open: 27 October - 7 November 2008
- Foundation school allocation: 4-6 January 2009
- Programme allocation: 3 March 2009
- Details sent to employers for pre-employment checks: from 4 March 2009
Trainers and trainees surveys
26 June 2008
Results from PMETB's second national survey of trainee doctors and the inaugural national survey of trainers are now available online on PMETB's dedicated reports website. To access the reports, visit the site and select: Report Type >Trainee Survey: specialty groups within local education providers (and for GP by programme). Reports are available for 2006 and 2007.
Using this site you will be able to compare the views of trainees at your location with trainees nationwide by specialty group. PMETB will be publishing the national reports from their latest surveys at the end of July 2008. For more information on our survey work, please visit the survey section PMETB's website.
MMC start dates 2008
23 June 2008
Expected start dates for postgraduate medical trainees appointed in 2008 will typically be 5 August for foundation trainees and 6 August for specialty registrars. However, there may be different start dates in some specialties or locations which could impact on service delivery. If start dates are deferred to a later date, there may be a requirement for short term cover arrangements as current trainees move on. Please check with your deanery for details.
The State of readiness checklist provides further information to help trusts ensure they are ready to complete the recruitment process for specialty registrars employed from August 2008 and provides links to key documents such as our advice on pay protection and the NHS employment checks standards.
Deaneries status under Employment Agencies Act unclear
27 May 2008
Deaneries may fall under the remit of the Employment Agencies Act 1973, as their role in the recruitment of doctors to specialty training could be viewed as that of an 'employment agency'. Organisations representing the interests of doctors have asserted that the Act should apply, and the BMA has reported the English deaneries for allegedly breaching their duties under the Act during recruitment to specialty training programme in 2008. While deaneries' precise status under the Act has yet to be resolved, NHS Employers has published advice for trusts on the implications this may have for recruitment to postgraduate medical training in England as if the Act applies.
GMC advice on taking up and ending appointments
23 May 2008
Each year, the GMC receives a number of calls about their guidance on taking up and turning down appointments (Good Medical Practice, paragraph 49). The guidance is intended to encourage doctors to consider the impact on patient care of any decision they may make about withdrawing from posts they have accepted. A doctors' failure to honour agreements to take up posts can cause disruption to the running of a hospital or other medical service, especially if it happens in sufficient numbers. It may also put patients at risk in some circumstances, for example where appointments or treatments have to be delayed, and our guidance is mainly aimed at preventing this situation occurring. To help doctors and employers understand the guidance better, the GMC have published answers to some of the the most frequently asked questions about applying the guidance on their website.
FAQs for applicants in round 2 of specialty training recruitment
19 May 2008
The first round of recruitment to specialty training programmes for 2008 ended on 16 May 2008. The MMC team has published a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) for applicants who have yet to secure a place on a specialty training programme. Trusts may find this information useful in advising doctors in training on their current options. The FAQs cover the number and type of vacancies that may be advertised during the second and subsequent rounds of recruitment, where these vacancies will be advertised and the eligibility criteria for applicants. Clear advice is also given for those doctors who have already accepted a place on a training programme and may be considering applying for programmes advertised in round 2.
Health Select Committee publishes report into MMC
8 May 2008
The House of Commons Health Select Committee (HSC) has today published its full report of its inquiry into Modernising Medical Careers. The report heavily criticises the way in which MMC reforms were implemented and sets out clear recommendations for future improvements. A summary of the Committee's key findings and recommendations is now available online. See also NHS Employers' response to the report.
NHS Employers responds to DH consultation on IMGs
6 May 2008
NHS Employers has today submitted its response to the Department of Health's consultation: Recruitment to foundation and specialty training - proposals for managing applications from medical graduates from outside the EEA. Over the last 12 weeks we have collected a range of very diverse views from employers across the NHS on how best to manage this challenging issue. While current difficulties in recruiting to vacancies in training programmes and short term locum cover have highlighted the need to continue to attract overseas doctors to the UK, on balance, employers agree that giving priority for medical training to UK and EEA provides the best value for tax payers money and, as we move towards self sufficiency in medical graduate numbers, a sensible approach. Employers' full range of views and concerns are outlined in the full response.
