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Supporting Doctors affected by the 2023 MRCP(UK) Part 2 examination issue

This document summarises the support and mitigations put in place for doctors affected by the 2023 MRCP(UK) Part 2 examination issue.

These arrangements are:

1.    Training stage and future progression

Doctors in Internal Medicine Training (IMT), doctors in Higher Speciality Training (HST), and doctors who are not currently in any training post have all been affected by the MRCP(UK) Part 2 examination issue.

  • All of the doctors in each of these groups who were told they had passed but had actually failed will be required to sit and pass the examination if they wish to complete the MRCP(UK) Diploma.
  • All Resident doctors within training programmes who have been advised that they have not now passed the MRCP(UK) Part 2 examination will be supported to continue in training if they wish.
  • The progression of IMT and HST doctors will be managed by applying usual Gold Guide guidance with the inclusion of “no fault outcomes” 10.1. and 10.2 if the exam issue has compromised their ability to fulfil the necessary requirements for their stage of training.  These outcomes will be explained by the ARCP panel.
  • The four Statutory Education Bodies (SEBs) have agreed together that doctors who have already entered HST will be supported to continue in programme and given the opportunity to attain the MRCP(UK) Diploma.  As the timings of the ARCP can be flexible within the Gold Guide, Postgraduate Deans may be able to defer an ARCP until after exam results are known.  
  • All Doctors in training have the right to appeal non progressive Outcomes.

2.    Doctors at specific career stages

a)    Doctors in IMT

  • Doctors currently in IMT 1 and 2 can progress to the next year of training but will have to complete all training requirements of IMT including obtaining the MRCP(UK) diploma before they can apply for HST in any physician specialty.
  • Doctors in IMT3 will also have to complete all training requirements of IMT including obtaining the MRCP(UK) diploma before they can apply for HST in any physician specialty.

     o    The next sittings of the Part 2 written exam take place in March, May, July and October 2025. 
     o    The next two attempts for a candidate will be free and the 2023/3 attempt will be expunged from their academic record.
     o    Preparation courses for these attempts will be funded to a total of £500 on receipt of relevant invoices.

  • Doctors in IMT3 will be supported to continue in an IMT post if they wish while further exam attempts are undertaken. Additional training time will be managed in accordance with the Gold Guide and no fault outcomes. Deaneries will use existing programme capacity and minimise travel as far as possible.

b)    Doctors not currently in training posts

  • Doctors not currently in training posts will have to complete all training requirements of IMT including obtaining the MRCP(UK) diploma before they can apply for HST in any physician specialty. 

    o    The next sittings of the Part 2 written exam take place in March, May, July and October 2025. 
    o    The next two attempts for a candidate will be free and the 2023/3 attempt will be expunged from their academic record.
    o    Preparation courses for these attempts will be funded to a total of £500 on receipt of relevant invoices.

3.    Doctors who had been in the current Higher Specialty Training recruitment round

These doctors may have been in IMY2, IMY3 or not currently in training posts. 
Some of these doctors may have been shortlisted for one or more HST programmes at the point they were withdrawn from the process, but others would not have been, even when it was thought that they had passed MRCP(UK) Part 2.

All of these doctors will be required to complete the full MRCP(UK) Diploma to be eligible for HST.

Once the doctors who were shortlisted, but subsequently were withdrawn, have passed the exam they will be guaranteed to proceed straight to interview stage of HST recruitment in the 2025 (Round 3) or 2026 (Round 2) recruitment rounds if they apply into the same specialty. They will still be required to engage with all required elements of the recruitment process:

  • Submit an application via the Oriel system.
  • Upload all necessary evidence for eligibility and portfolio assessment.
  • Upload new relevant documentation to support the scoring process.

Doctors who were not shortlisted and were subsequently withdrawn will have to complete the MRCP(UK) diploma then reapply for the HST posts of their choice in the coming recruitment rounds.

All doctors who applied but were withdrawn from the recruitment process:

  • NHS England are funding additional posts through their expansion programme, which will provide additional capacity for applicants who will now be applying in subsequent rounds. 
  • All posts will be available to any applicants to the round (doctors currently in training and locally employed doctors) and there is no guarantee of an offer.
  • The SEBs are reviewing processes and timelines for 2025 Round 3 and 2026 Round 2 so that affected doctors who accept an offer can start in post as soon as is practical. This will include consideration of the following:
    o    Flexibility around start dates if successful in HST recruitment
    o    Possibility of commencing HST as soon as possible, while in the current IMY3 placement, until a suitable time to transition is identified
    o    Monitoring and recording capability acquisition in an IMY3 post to feed into the first HST ARCP

4.    All doctors whose progression into Higher Specialty Training is or may be delayed

Doctors who have been withdrawn from the current recruitment round and others will fall into this group.

Aside from the specific actions outlined above:

  • The Federation will recommend and support all affected doctors to document their capability acquisition during any period prior to appointment to Higher Specialist Training (HST). Such capabilities should be recorded in the ePortfolio and be related to the correct year of training, where appropriate.
  • The first ARCP panel in HST (which may be completed earlier in the first year of HST) will consider any additional capabilities against the relevant curriculum and, if appropriate, the CCT date may be revised.
  • Deanery programme teams will ensure that the correct next year of training is recorded on trainee information systems to ensure correct pay progression is communicated to education providers. 
  • The Federation is working to elaborate support for those affected to provide experience in HST specialties that doctors are interested in pursuing within their organisation/regional network. 
    o    Where appropriate, they will support them to accrue capabilities relevant to attaining CCT in HST.

5.    Wellbeing support 

All doctors affected by the 2023/3 issue may require wellbeing support.

  • The SEB Professional Support and Wellbeing Services (PSWS) across all four nations are aware of the issue and ready to support doctors affected. They will work across their network to provide appropriate input to the individuals within their employing organisations. 
  • Wellbeing support has also been made available to impacted candidates through the Federation.  

Note: The mitigations outlined in this document only apply to those affected by the MRCP(UK) Part 2 examination issue and should not be applied to any other groups.