Edinburgh Trainee Elected As Leader Of Scotland's Junior Doctors

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 04 Sep 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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Dr Alan Robertson, a specialty trainee doctor in general medicine at Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary has been elected as chairman of the BMA's Scottish Junior Doctors Committee (SJDC).

Dr Robertson graduated from Glasgow University Medical School in 2003 and during his time as a medical student, chaired the BMA's Scottish Medical Students Committee.

Dr Robertson has experienced first hand, the effects of the current reforms to medical training, having personally gone through the MTAS* application process earlier this year.

Speaking on his election, he said:

"This is an important time for junior doctors. The reforms to medical training, which were intended to improve medical training, have been rushed in without any thought of the consequences and junior doctors have paid the price. Medical training must change, but the mistakes of this year cannot be repeated.

"With the application process for 2008 due to begin in just a couple of months, I fear that junior doctor recruitment will face as big a problem as it did earlier this year. Juniors across Scotland need a strong, united voice to make sure that they are listened to and I hope to lead them effectively through this difficult time.

"We have a Scottish Executive that is willing to listen and act in the best interests of the Scottish NHS and I will continue to ensure that the views of Scotland's junior doctors are heard at the highest level."

Dr Katie MacLaren, a GP trainee from Tayside and Dr Colum Slorach, an SpR in Anaesthetics in Edinburgh, were elected as joint deputy chairs for the committee.

*MTAS - Medical Training Application Process - an online recruitment system for specialty training posts.

You can find out more about the reforms to medical training (Modernising Medical Careers) online at: http://www.mmc.scot.nhs.uk

http://www.bma.org.uk