Doctors’ Association UK and the British Medical Association called for an investigation after The i Paper revealed 220 medics who were told they had passed the exam 18 months ago had in fact failed.
The General Medical Council (GMC) is understood to be looking into whether patient safety was jeopardised as a result of the blunder.
The MRCP(UK) is an “essential” diploma for all physicians who train in a medical speciality in the UK, according to the Federation’s website. The three-part exam series consists of Part 1 and 2 written tests and a Part 2 practical assessment of clinical examination skills.
The Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians only carried out a recent audit after one of the medics affected challenged their result, The i Paper has been told.
Helen Fernandes, chair of Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK), 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.
Ms Fernandes said it was “extremely worrying” that a computerised exam could have made such an error and DAUK is calling for a review of the processes that led to the mistake.
“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.
The Federation said incorrect results were given because of a data processing issue. Exam fees will be refunded and resits will take place free of charge.
Doctors who failed exams working on specialist NHS wards after results blunder
Read MoreProfessor Philip Banfield, chair of the BMA Council, said: “Failing an exam is devastating and has consequences for doctors as they work their way up the ladder of expertise; being told you have failed when in fact you have passed, is even worse.
“The moral, legal and governance aspects of this truly terrible mistake are far-reaching and must not be underestimated by the public, Government, and the NHS.”
“There must be an immediate independent investigation into this, including how routine audit processes have taken so long to identify this error.
“We are talking to the Royal College of Physicians, and we are exploring options for support, compensation, and recompense with our legal team.”
“We appreciate how distressing the candidates affected will find this, and for some it will create an additional burden to the hard and vital work they do.”
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