The Royal Medico-Psychological Association's Memorandum on the Report of the Royal Commission on Medical Education in reply to a letter from the Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health

Abstract

In expressing its views on the subjects raised in Sir George Godber's letters,∗ the Royal Medico-Psychological Association has considered the general recommendations made by the Royal Commission on postgraduate education, the number of medical school places and the training of overseas doctors. In addition, the R.M.P.A. has considered those recommendations involving psychiatric education, the assessment of proficiency in psychiatry, the administrative aspects of psychiatric training, the vocational register for psychiatrists, the manpower problems raised by the proposals for postgraduate training and organization, and the proposals for medical education in London. Members of the R.M.P.A. are conscious of the increasing importance of these subjects as the time approaches for the Association to assume the status and responsibilities of a College. Many of the issues raised are controversial and it is difficult to do more than produce interim replies: this document is therefore tentative in its comments. The R.M.P.A.'s approach must remain flexible in the expectation of future developments, especially with regard to the assumption of collegiate status. In March 1969 these issues will again be discussed during the course of a Conference on Postgraduate Psychiatric Education to be held under the auspices of the Royal Medico-Psychological Association and the Association for the Study of Medical Education.