Kirsty Lloyd, MSC chair, writes to medical students about MDAP applications
March 2006
Dear Colleagues
I have received numerous representations about MDAP and thought I should update you about the work that the BMA is doing on the subject. I hope this email addresses some of your concerns especially during the lead up to final year exams.
As Chair of the MSC (BMA’s Medical Students Committee), I personally, and the BMA in general, are acutely aware that there are problems with the MDAP system. We are concerned about the 600 people who are entering the second round of matching to foundation training posts, and have been in close discussions with the key stakeholders to ensure that these students are supported and given access to accurate information about the next steps. It is recommended that all students in the second phase regularly review the MDAP website for updates in the coming weeks before submitting their preferences.
There is widespread agreement that there needs to be changes to the system. To this end, the MSC (with the full support of the wider BMA) is working to ensure that all UK graduates are placed in foundation training programmes and that F1 placements are a natural progression from graduating with UK medical degree, both this year and in the future.
The MSC is negotiating changes that will ensure that academic success is in future given a greater weighting than the system this year. The MSC has also been arguing that conducted properly, interviews can be a relevant aspect of any application procedure.
We have assumed, based on other existing policies, that students are generally in favour of a system that increases fairness and openness in application procedures. I would be interested to hear from you if you think this is an inappropriate stance for us to take.
I have also been concerned about some of the conclusions that are being drawn from the problems identified above. I have been contacted by a significant number of students who feel hurt and offended that people are suggesting that their placements have been secured unfairly, and that that they have cheated in order to get their place. We represent these students, as well as students who are yet to be placed in the matching scheme and I consider it my responsibility to ensure that all views are reflected.
Please be assured that the deputy chair for Education, Liv Knutzen, the MSC secretariat and myself are devoting our time and energy to this matter. The MSC has a meeting on Saturday 11 March at which we will debate this issue through your BMA school representatives. View the agenda for this meeting on the BMA website. I reiterate that I am working constantly to ensure that the MDAP system improves next year, and that students who have not been placed in the first round are treated fairly in the second round.
We are in the middle of a process which is being shown to have serious shortcomings both for students and medical schools. Many of these could have been and indeed were predicted by students of the MSC. It is regrettable that those in charge of administering the system have not always taken on board points we have made about communication and information.
As I am sure you will appreciate, we are receiving polarised views from the student body. I am ensuring that all comments made to me personally or via representatives are being reported to MDAP and the postgraduate deans. In order to address some of the specific concerns of London students who have some unique problems, I have met with the ULU medgroup on two occasions to ensure that I understand what those concerns are and can include them in my discussions with MDAP, medical schools and postgraduate deans.
Thank you for your emails, texts and phone calls expressing a variety of views. It is only by hearing from you that I can feel assured that I am representing you.
Again, those in the second phase please make sure you check the MDAP website regularly for updates. See http://www.mmc.nhs.uk/pages/foundation/application
Finally, I realise you must all be very busy revising for exams and hope that this email goes some way to reassuring you that the BMA is acting on your behalf and allows you to focus on your studies at this very important time. I wish you all the best of luck in your exams.
Yours sincerely
Kirsty Lloyd
Chair
Medical Students Committee
British Medical Association
info.students@bma.org.uk