In a document seen by Hospital Doctor magazine, the Academy accuses the Postgraduate Medical Education Training Board (PMETB) of a catalogue of failings.

PMETB was in the news earlier this week over revelations it is taking longer than three months in some cases to process applications for doctors to work as consultants.

The Academy's document, which is a draft discussion paper, complains that the Colleges are having to subsidise the organisation.

It also accuses PMETB of "undisguised moves to marginalise the colleges".

PMETB took on the job of developing and overseeing postgraduate medical training in 2005.

It took over the responsibilities of the Specialist Training Authority of the Medical Royal Colleges and the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice.

According to the document, the Academy believes PMETB is "unwilling to engage meaningfully with the colleges, seeming to regard their expertise with reserve, or even indifference".

PMETB is also accused of refusing to meet all Royal College representatives, believing such meetings are "just an opportunity to PMETB-bash".

Academy chair Professor Dame Carol Black told Hospital Doctor: "The Academy will be holding a meeting with PMETB this week to discuss the issues raised in the draft discussion document."