The review will analyse the difficulties in the current system, take account of the lessons learned and chart a local approach to the way forward. The Review will pay close attention to the independent review being taken forward by Sir John Took in Great Britain.
Speaking after an Assembly debate on the process used to recruit and train junior doctors, the Minister said: “I will assess carefully the findings of this local review and I will also take account of the work being undertaken by Sir John Took, however I will need strong assurances before agreeing to participate in a future national selection scheme.”
Replying to calls for abandonment or postponement of the current process, the Minister said that any further delay into the recruitment of junior doctors would seriously jeopardise the ability of our local Health Service to deliver services on 1 August – the date when doctors in training take up new posts.
“This interview process will be completed by the end of May. Offers of appointment began on 27 April and are continuing as each set of interviews is completed.
“Failure to appoint doctors by August would leave our Trusts with a much destabilised and depleted medical workforce and place an unprecedented threat on the ability of our Health Service to function; patients could be put at risk and essential treatments delayed.
“We cannot go back to the starting point at this time without endangering patients. “The position I have adopted in terms of pressing ahead with appointments has been agreed by the BMA locally and the five health and social care trusts.
Addressing the issue of this year’s unsuccessful applicants Mr McGimpsey said that there have been no cuts to training places and that competition for posts is not new.
“As with any competitive process, it is inevitable that some doctors will be disappointed. “I will however take all reasonable steps to address any significant surplus in the local medical workforce. While the system of recruitment and training must be open and transparent, I believe in retaining as much of the important skills and potential held by these people in Northern Ireland."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
All media enquiries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0571 or 07919400248.
