Professor Khan raised the issue of award of Membership of the College without examination terming it as ‘through the back door’ (Psychiatric Bulletin, January 2006, 30, 3–5). Although he has raised some pertinent issues and some of his objections appear to be valid it was not fair to generalise and include everybody in the same category. The award of Membership without examination broadly falls into two categories. One is to psychiatrists of international eminence and the other is to international fellows recruited under the International Fellowship Programme (IFP).

Most international fellows from Pakistan possess the fellowship (FCPS), which according to Professor Khan's own description, ‘is difficult and requires consistent hard work, application and discipline’. FCPS is an exit exam and candidates do not require further training to become eligible for senior positions in psychiatry. Psychiatrists who have been appointed to consultant posts via the IFP have had a series of interviews, including a formal interview by a panel which has included a College representative.

We strongly disagree with Professor Khan's opinion that it was a back door entry to Membership for these psychiatrists. The Dean's response to the article was apologetic. It was disappointing that rather than addressing the main issue of award of Membership to those of ‘international eminence’, he dwelt on international fellows. The College has already suspended the processing of applications of international recruits, who can no longer become members despite having equivalent qualifications, being on the General Medical Council specialist register, having the certificate of completion of specialist training (CCST), Specialist Training Authority approval, experience of training senior house officers in psychiatry for the Membership exam, registering for continuing professional development and above all despite being promised Membership by the College authorities.

We were surprised by the statement from the Dean that international fellows were ‘seduced by the promise of MRCPsych by people who have had no power to make such promises’ (Psychiatric Bulletin, January 2006, 30, 6). If the President, Deputy Dean and the Head of Education of the College had no authority, then why did they seduce the international fellows at the crucial stage of recruitment? Membership was viewed as a major incentive by many of the candidates. They now feel cheated and betrayed by the College.

Declaration of interest

Both authors came to the UK under the International Fellowship Programme from Pakistan. They take pride in developing a close association with the College. One author was conferred the Membership under Section III 2(ii) of the Bye-Laws in 2004 but the other was recently refused Membership as a result of legal advice relating to Section III 2(ii).