Update - Tuesday 24th July

It's been a couple of months now since we last updated, and we hope that all those directly involved in MMC have not suffered too much in this time. It's not been an easy few months for anyone, and although MMC goes ahead next week hopefully the government has been forced to listen, and the profession now has a chance to re-look at the best way of selecting and training our future consultants.

This update brings you up to date with our actions and the wider actions across the UK, and lets you know what channels are now available for you to have your voice heard on the future of medical training.

1. UK Inquiry - Consultation for Professor Tooke's inquiry into MMC - http://www.mmcinquiry.org.uk/ - closes on 31st July. This is the UK wide inquiry into MMC ordered by the DoH following extensive lobbying. This is obviously a busy time for everyone but if you haven't filled in the online questionnaire please do - this looks like the best way to influence what happens next.

2. NI Support Arrangements - The deadline to apply for support arrangements (guaranteed work until the end of round 2 for those left without a job) is tomorrow, 25th July - see link for details.

3. NI Review - Professor Hayes, of Queens University, is conducting a review of Medical Recruitment in Northern Ireland, following the pressure we put on the Health Minister. See link for further details. We are meeting with Professor Hayes on 20th August to take to him our concerns and suggestions for the future - please get in touch with any points you would like us to make to the review.

4. Remedy UK - Although Remedy UK sadly lost their legal challenge against MTAS in May, we thank them for all the effort they have continued to put in to highlighting the plight of thousands of junior doctors. Remedy has now become a subscription organisation and we would encourage you to join (only £8/month!) - see www.remedyuk.net for details. Only with your support can Remedy continue to effectively lobby government for what is right and best for the medical profession. If anyone would like to get involved with Remedy at a local level please get in touch and we can put you in contact with the relevant people. Northern Irish Medics is likely to cease to exist shortly, as we all move on to new things in different countries, but there is certainly a need for continuing representation for Junior Doctors in NI, and hopefully we can create a substantial Remedy presence here.

5. Fidelio - A group of senior doctors, led by Professor Morris Brown of Cambridge, has been set up to continue to push for sensible change to medical training, and we would encourage any senior doctors with an interest to get in touch with them - http://www.fidelio.org.uk/. Also we would encourage all juniors to keep an eye on their website, register their interest, and to fill in surveys as and when they are available.

Finally we'd just like to thank everyone who's been involved in our campaign - from those who emailed their support, to those who helped with stuffing envelopes and phone calls, and to those who kept us motivated and going. We wouldn't have got anywhere without you! As mentioned we will soon cease to exist as an organisation - we feel it would be more beneficial at this stage to support Remedy, who will have the full time staff to be able to do the campaign justice.

Although we are disappointed that the illogical and damaging changes in MMC are going ahead, we think that all the pressure that all of you helped bring against our 'leaders' has succeeded in changing things for the better in future - the profession has stood up and people will think twice now about change without consultation.

Those on our email database will be receiving a short survey to help our submission to the Northern Ireland MMC review - please complete this if you get a chance, and keep an eye out for the results of both the UK and Northern Ireland Inquiries.

Good luck and best wishes,

Clare, Chris and Christine
The Northern Irish Medics Team