AS A consultant involved in training junior doctors and the father of a senior house officer with a recently acquired postgraduate qualification I welcome the clarification of the proposed new training scheme for junior doctors as stated by Dr Harry Burns, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, in his letter on September 21.

Can I suggest the reason for the concern expressed by so many consultants and junior doctors over these new proposals stems from the government's appalling presentation and lack of transparency on this issue?

Why have there been no roadshows explaining to junior doctors and consultants the perceived benefits of this new scheme? Surely this would have avoided much of the misunderstanding he alludes to.

In my own hospital even the college tutors appear to be in the dark over many aspects of the changes almost upon us.

For the benefit of all, patients and doctors alike, I sincerely hope that things work out as he describes.

Dr David Marsh, Consultant Anaesthetist, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow.