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RemedyUK is the grassroots doctors' campaign that has become an organisation.

Under the banner ‘Be Part of the Solution’, it brought an unprecedented 12,000 doctors of all seniorities onto the streets of London and Glasgow in March 2007 to protest about the unpiloted 'big bang' imposition of a new system of post-graduate medical training, Modernising Medical Careers (MMC).



It followed this with a Parliamentary Early Day Motion signed by over 100 MPs and a Mass Lobby of Parliament linked to an Opposition Day debate in April 2007. It took the government to court in June through an application for judicial review of the MTAS process. Although the application was denied, the judge called the MMC/MTAS process ‘disastrous’.



From grassroots movement to organisation


In August 2007, Remedy defined its mission:-

RemedyUK exists to challenge flawed or prescriptive reforms and hold our institutions to account.

We believe that our patients are best served by a well-educated and motivated workforce.

Our aim is to provide a channel for the stifled voice of grassroots doctors, and to represent their interests at the highest level.

In September 2007, Chris McCullough became Remedy's CEO and first member of staff and Remedy opened a small office near London Bridge.

Between August 2007 and May 2008 its activities included:-
  • Raising grassroots doctors’ many concerns with the Department of Health
  • Meetings with the BMA and the Royal Colleges
  • Presenting written and oral evidence to the Tooke Review
  • Presenting written and oral evidence to the House of Commons Health Select Committee inquiry into MMC/MTAS
  • sponsoring an Early Day Motion on the new ‘lost tribe’ which attracted over 100 MP’s signatures
  • Arranging a Parliamentary briefing on workforce planning
  • Winning a review of physicians’ training costs from the JRCPTB
  • Surveying its members and producing a report on the IMG issue
  • Organising a silent vigil to mark Sir Liam Donaldson’s appearance before the first evidence session of the Health Select Committee
  • organizing a Mass Lobby of Parliament
  • Running an advice clinic for juniors in coordination with the HCSA
  • Setting up a free-to-members rota service to ensure juniors were treated fairly
  • Setting up The Daily Remedy, its free-to-members online newspaper on medical issues
  • Developing its Reps network to improve communications with grassroots doctors
  • holding its first AGM

2008 – Reclaiming our profession


The publication of the final Tooke Report on January 8th 2008, which Remedy welcomed unreservedly, provided the necessary focus for 2008’s campaigning, which takes place under the banner ‘Reclaiming our Profession’.

A 10-point ‘manifesto’ has been developed and widely circulated, including to the Secretary of State for Health, calling for the full implementation of the Tooke Report and highlighting necessary transitional arrangements and processes.

Its key points are:-
  • A full implementation of the independent Tooke Enquiry Report Aspiring to Excellence
  • Formal separation of the Training and Service components of healthcare delivery and protection of budgets for training
  • Independent manpower planning, free of political interference
  • Recognition of the deleterious effects on medical training of the reduction in doctors' hours, and urgent exploration of ways to stem further reductions
 
RemedyUK.org
 Visit the main RemedyUK website.
RUKmag.org
 Visit the R-UK magazine website.
Remedy Jobs
 Visit the RemedyUK jobs website.
Remedy forum
 Visit the RemedyUK forum.