BMA criticises online recruitment system

The British Medical Association (BMA) has slammed flaws in a computerised system used to recruit junior doctors.

Technical issues such as delays and website downtime may have put 30,000 junior doctors in limbo about their applications under the Modernising Medical Careers scheme, the organisation said.

It added that the high number of applications, an unrealistic deadline and a lack of advice and support meant that the shortlisting process could not be completed properly.

This process was supposed to finish last weekend, but is still operating in certain areas of the UK.

íDoctors have lost what little confidence they ever had with the new system. Theyíre feeling confused and increasingly angry,í commented Dr Jo Hilborne, chairman of the BMAís junior doctors committee.

Because of these problems, the deadline for applications was extended twice during the first few days of February.

The scheme was first launched by the NHS three years ago.

Distributed by BCS.org