| RemedyUK Censored by the BMA |
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| Wednesday, 28 November 2007 | |
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As part of a membership drive, the RemedyUK committee decided to place a paid-for loose insert in the Christmas issue of BMJ Careers. The BMJ asked to see the copy before agreeing. They had no concerns about the insert or its content.
We were then told, late last week, that as the BMJ is a wholly owned subsidiary of the BMA, their approval would also be needed. The BMA have banned the insert from appearing. A BMA spokesperson, quoted in Hospital Doctor today, said: "It was considered inappropriate for the Remedy insert to be published in the BMJ. This was definitely not a decision by any one individual." 
It is hard to see how the BMJ’s editorial independence cannot now be open to question. And it is difficult not to draw the conclusion that the BMA’s refusal to allow the insert is an attempt to prevent Remedy from spreading its message more widely. You can read the full text of the insert banned by the BMA here. Dr Ram Moorthy, Chair of the BMA JDC, quoted in Hospital Doctor today, says:- “If you look at what both organisations want, there's actually not much difference.” If you look at what both organisations do, what their core values are and how they operate, we’d suggest there is a great difference. RemedyUK, born as a grassroots campaign and now an independent organisation – a community of those concerned with the future of the profession - exists only because you wanted it to. We 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. Our ambition is to reclaim our profession. In 2007, RemedyUK became the voice of those opposed to and oppressed by MMC. We spoke out without fear, made it possible for over 12,000 doctors to take to the streets in London and Glasgow, to join a Mass Lobby of Parliament and to challenge the government through our application for judicial review. Now, we’d like to clarify our position on some of the current issues affecting junior doctors. Decoupling and the Tooke Report We wholeheartedly support Sir John Tooke’s report, and feel that his proposals give juniors the most flexible training opportunities. We are aware that the report has not been formally accepted yet. While there are areas that need clarification, we see it as the best opportunity that we have to improve medical education. RemedyUK believe that decoupling of core and higher training should occur immediately. We do not support seamless run-through training, especially in the light of the completely flawed selection process last year. Decoupling should apply to all specialities, as this will lead to greater flexibility in career planning. A simple system which is easy to understand will bring about the best results. MMC Programme Board RemedyUK completely reject the idea that junior doctors may have only 72 hours to apply for posts in 2008. This artificial barrier will not ensure that the best doctors are shortlisted. In addition, queries concerning applications took longer than 72 hours to be addressed in 2007. We are concerned that the large numbers of applications which will be received by some programmes will make it difficult for assessors to reliably distinguish between candidates, and that the 2008 recruitment process will be even more chaotic than in 2007. ST3 Numbers The competition for jobs will also be more fierce than in 2007, with far fewer ST2 and ST3 positions available for trainees. Runthrough training implies that ST3 jobs will automatically be filled by people leaving ST2, leaving very few vacancies. RemedyUK’s position is that if the Government want a consultant led service then all doctors must receive training. We have repeatedly called for ST3 numbers to be increased. International Medical Graduates We believe that doctors already in this country should have equal opportunity to employment, but that restrictions need to be put in place to limit further intakes of new overseas doctors arriving. Sub-consultant grade We do not support the development of a sub-consultant grade. However, the Department of Health predicts that there will be over 3000 Registrars without Consultant posts by 2010. There is already an excess of time expired registrars and an increased number of doctors working as locum consultants. These doctors are in a career limbo. We urgently need to debate this issue, not put our heads in the sand and ignore it. Workforce There is no doubt that previous workforce planning has been woeful. With medical student numbers increasing by 70% we are reaching a crisis. Decisive action is needed in this area. RemedyUK have been lobbying from the outset for an urgent independent review of workforce planning. Reclaiming our profession RemedyUK aims to represent the views of doctors at the highest level. In addition to tacking key political issues we aim to set up services which will make life easier for doctors in the UK, as well as providing key information and support. We are building an organisation which can sustain itself in the long term and continue to function beyond the current committee. Many people have asked if we will become a new trade union. This decision will be made by our members in the future. However, without your support, RemedyUK will cease to exist. If you support our views and campaigns to date, and want us to continue to fight your corner, then please join us. Thank you. The RemedyUK Committee |
