Junior doctors have lost their High Court battle to invalidate MTAS interviews.
Remedy UK had argued for the system to be scrapped and all the interviews carried out again because the whole process was unfair and unlawful ( see previous postings). The judge ruled against invalidating the interviews already done but said the doctors' grievance was entirely justified. He said it was a flawed system with disastrous consequences, individual junior doctors could still have good grounds to appeal regarding the jobs allocated to them - or to take their cases before a tribunal.
Remedy UK said that "This is a sad day for doctors and the NHS", but the group would not be appealing the decision.
Last week, ministers were forced to abandon MTAS. The Health Secretary said that after the first round of recruitment, MTAS would not be used again this year. The recruitment process will be handled at a local level by medical deaneries. Junior doctors will be asked to apply directly to hospitals for jobs.
Some leading consultants said the recruitment process is deeply flawed and the continuous crisis could put patients at risk. An online survey of doctors organised by some specialists drew 3,500 responses. 85% of consultants who took part backed a boycott of recruitment interviews, 90% expressed no confidence in the health secretary and chief medical officer.
Chennel 4 News uncovered that every candidate in England was offered a one-off rescue interview, but these interviews need up to 9 consultants to sit on the panel. Patient operations are being cancelled and rescheduled as some consultants struggle to fit their work around interviews.
A group of leading consultants claimed in their letter to The Times that the MTAS has "so far failed at every task" and questioned a decision taken to allow experienced doctors just one interview to determine their future career.
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