In the report the Government is heavily criticised for ignoring warnings about aspects of the process like the chaotic computer programme (MTAS) which cost £1.9 million but failed so many of our junior doctors. Management of the overseas migrants programme also comes under fire.

Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:

 “This lays bare the shameful mismanagement by the Government of junior doctors' training. The original principles of MMC were never followed through. Ministers and the Department of Health failed to provide coordination and directional leadership.

“What is truly unforgivable is that the Government ignored warnings which could have saved junior doctors the stress they were forced to endure.

“Hundreds of junior doctors still need action taken to ensure those who continue to meet the necessary standards will have the training available to them, through to speciality status. No one has confidence in the Department of Health to do this.” 

Notes

• The MTAS system, with costs this year of £1.9 million (Patricia Hewitt, Letter to Andrew Lansley, March 2007), is the latest IT disaster to rock the Government.