Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) is a new programme for post-graduate medical training being introduced in the UK from 2005 onwards. The programme will replace the traditional grades of medical career before the level of Consultant. The different stages of the programme will contribute towards a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT)

A two-year foundation programme has now replaced the former one-year Pre-registration house officer term and the first year of the former Senior house officer term. However, the title "Pre-registration house officer" is still used for doctors in the first year of the foundation programme, as they are still only provisionally registered with the General Medical Council during that year. Full registration takes place at the end of the first year of the foundation programme.

The foundation programme consists of two years training divided by rotations of 4 months in different groups. The two year programme is marked by continuing assesments and intends to provide a more comprehensive exposure of different clinical/ academic fields in healthcare.

Graduates from the foundation programme are eligible to apply for either specialist or general practice CCT training. This will be divided into Basic Specialist Training programmes and Higher Specialist Training programmes. On completion of these, trainees will be awarded a CCT and will be entitled to entry the Specialist Register or the General Practitioner (GP) register as appropriate.

The programme is not fully supported by the medical profession. Grave concerns have been expressed by the British Medical Association, among others, that the reforms have not been fully thought through, and may worsen the training situation for many junior doctors.

External links

• Modernising Medical Careers website
• Modernising Medical Careers - publication by the Department of Health

References

National Health Service