GMC acts to reassure trainees

The GMC yesterday held a constructive meeting with key interest groups about the issue of examinations taken outside approved postgraduate training.

The GMC yesterday held a constructive meeting with key interest groups about the issue of examinations taken outside approved postgraduate training (see statement of 30 April 2010). The organisations present included representatives of trainees, medical Royal Colleges, Postgraduate Deaneries and UK health departments.     

The GMC, which took over the regulation of postgraduate training in April this year, has sought its own legal advice from Senior Counsel on its powers in relation to examinations taken by doctors who are not at that point part of an approved training programme. That advice was presented to the meeting and it was agreed it provided the basis of a way forward.

In particular the meeting agreed that: 

• The legal advice to the GMC makes it clear that the Medical Act allows the regulator to be flexible over the timing of exams 
• The GMC will allow all trainees already in approved CCT training programmes, subject to successful completion of them, to obtain a CCT even if they passed one or more of their examinations before entering the programme
• The GMC will apply the same flexibility to those already selected to enter CCT training programmes in August 2010
• Given the flexibility that is now apparent the GMC will draw up proposals for discussion on the timing of examinations for future trainees.  It is clear that there is scope for  flexibility to benefit doctors not currently in or about to enter approved training.
• A further meeting of key interests will be held in late summer or early autumn to discuss those proposals.
• In the meantime, those present agreed it would be helpful to develop a joint statement confirming the position in more detail. This will be issued w/c 28 June 

Niall Dickson, Chief Executive of the GMC, said:

"This issue has caused  a great deal of concern among trainees and we are determined to sort it out as quickly as possible. We have a duty to ensure that exams and other requirements for a CCT form a coherent programme of training but we also have a duty as a regulator to take account of the different ways in which young professionals today plan their careers. We are going  to work with trainees and others and I am confident we can agree a way forward. 

The legal advice we have obtained is very helpful. It is now apparent that we can be more flexible while still maintaining the coherence and quality of postgraduate education in the UK. I hope we have given the immediate assurance that is needed and I am sure that working together with all those affected we can agree a long term solution."

18 June 2010