‘No alternative’ to MTAS system likely for 2008

Remedy UK, the group set up in the wake of the junior doctors’ job crisis earlier this year, has called for a return to a paper-based, local system for the 2008 round of recruitment to training posts.

But the BMA has warned that there may be no alternative but to use the widely discredited MTAS computer system to handle the vast number of applications expected.

The comments follow release of a consultation document by the England Modernising Medical Careers board which looks at interim solutions for the next round of appointments.

It warns that there will be a larger number of applicants for fewer posts this year because some of last year’s unsuccessful candidates will reapply.

The expected ratio of applicants to posts is expected to rise from 2:1 in 2007 to 3:1 in 2008.

The process must start no later than January 2008, it says. This is too early to take in any recommendations from the full review of MMC now underway by Professor Sir John Tooke.

Insiders on the MMC board say there is no agreement on the way forward with the MTAS computer system. While it has lost the confidence of the profession, there is no pragmatic alternative to a national computerised system.

One source said: "The plan is for a system where doctors rank their preferences and the computer sifts these so that applicants can be matched to jobs in their highest preference before any offers go out." This would require a national computer system.

The consultation document itself makes no recommendation on whether to use the computer system that was at the centre of the scandal earlier this year.

It says: "The issue as to whether or not a national computer system should be used is possibly the most contentious issue in the decisions to improve recruitment in 2008."

It goes on to explain that the system did not ‘crash’ as many believe. "It was very slow just before the closing date for applications and many applicants experienced difficulties in completing and submitting their application forms."

There were two breaches of security which led to a decision to close the system and switch to local processes for round two of the appointments process.

However, GP recruitment and the foundation programme for newly graduated medics used the same national system to process applications in 2007, it says.

"This brought considerable benefits to both applicants and deaneries from the reduced paperwork for them and from the opening up of options for processes not possible without the computer."

An independent audit of the MTAS system, carried out as part of the Douglas Review found that the system was "stable, performed acceptably and contained the necessary functionality to be fit for purpose."

Security has now been increased to the highest level, it adds.

If the MTAS system is to be used, it would act only as a national portal followed by local selection processes, it says. New applications forms would be needed to avoid the issues of plagiarism highlighted in the Douglas review.

Matt Jameson Evans, co-founder of Remedy UK said this would not satisfy his members. "It is flawed logic to try to make the best of a system that Douglas called the biggest disaster for a generation," he said.

He called for a return to the old system in which applicants sent in their CVs to the deaneries for local processes with autonomous recruitment times.

He added: "Give the computer system a rest. Maybe there is a 50-50 chance of it working but if it goes wrong the damage would be incalculable.’

But Tom Dolphin, deputy chair of the BMA’s junior doctors committee, said: "There are some arguments for us using a system that provides the largest number of people with jobs as close to their preference as possible."

Using the MTAS system might be the only option, he added. "It is not clear that there will be time to create a new system that has people’s confidence."

A Department of Health spokesperson said: "We are asking the medical profession whether they would like us to use a national computer system again, whether we should have a national application form, and how the selection process should work. These are important questions."

The consultation is open until 25 September 2007

Links 

Modernising Medical Careers, 2008 consultation

Douglas Review of MTAS computer system