This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Postgraduate medical education
25/01/2006
A new career framework for postgraduate medical education which aims to produce high-quality doctors and better patient care through NHS Scotland was endorsed by Minister today.
The framework has been proposed by the Modernising Medical Careers UK Strategy Group and agreed by the four UK Health Ministers.
Health Minister Andy Kerr said:
"I welcome and support the future career framework for postgraduate medical education.
"Scotland is playing a key role in shaping the Modernising Medical Careers process. In taking these arrangements forward in Scotland, we will look to ensure that these reforms produce the high-quality, fit-for-purpose doctors that NHSScotland needs to deliver real benefits to patient care.
"Within these structures, from August 2007 doctors will be able to apply to new, quality-assured specialist and general practice training programmes as part of the Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) medical training reforms.
"We will work closely with NHS Scotland employers and partners to implement these plans in accordance with our healthcare and workforce needs."
Work to develop Scotland's detailed plans for implementation of the arrangements is under way, led by the MMC Scotland Delivery Group, chaired by Scotland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Harry Burns.
Dr Burns said:
"There is much work to be done to assess and consider the consequences of these proposals on patient services and on our young doctors.
"I am therefore working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that improvements in the educational governance arrangements for doctors are taken forward in consort with equivalent improvements to clinical care."