Exam Error Affects Over 280 UK Doctors, Raising Career and Patient Safety Concerns
A data-processing mistake led to incorrect results for a key medical exam, impacting doctors' careers and prompting calls for an independent investigation.
- The Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK admitted to a data-processing error affecting results for the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination from September 2023.
- 222 doctors were incorrectly told they passed when they failed, while 61 were wrongly informed they failed when they had passed.
- The error, discovered nearly 18 months later during an audit prompted by a candidate's challenge, has disrupted careers and raised concerns about patient safety.
- The British Medical Association and Doctors’ Association UK have called for an independent investigation and significant support for affected doctors, including compensation.
- The Federation has apologized, offering free resits and refunds for exam fees, but the long-term implications for doctors and the NHS remain uncertain.
The Independent 
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The Telegraph 