The Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) is concerned and upset for the hundreds of doctors affected by the recent error in the results of a vital postgraduate exam.
DAUK is calling for a review of the processes that led to the mistake in the Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom (MRCP (UK)) part two written examination.
Out of 1,451 candidates who took the exam in September 2023, 283 were given the wrong results, with 61 candidates who were told they had failed having passed and 222 candidates who were told they had passed having failed.
Ms Helen Fernandes, DAUK chair, said: “This seemingly unprecedented situation has and will have significant and widespread implications for those affected and the clinical teams they have been working with, perhaps even the patients they have cared for.
“Postgraduate examinations play a critical role in the training of future hospital consultants, GPs and other grades of doctor.
“They require intense amounts of study, in a doctor’s own time and are expensive.
“This error will affect career progression, visa applications for overseas doctors, some are already affected in a very detrimental fashion.
“This blow comes at a time when resident doctors, doctors in training, the future leaders of our NHS are under enormous pressure with workplace stress and burnout, lack of training places, real risk of unemployment and the inexplicable growth and support of physician associates and anaesthesia associates at the expense of doctors’ training and jobs.
“A review of the processes that led to this situation, alongside open dialogue with trainees and stakeholders, will be an important step in reinforcing trust and ensuring fairness for all candidates.
“We remain committed to supporting doctors and trainees through this process and hope to see constructive steps taken to resolve the situation as quickly and equitably as possible.”
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