23 April 2004

Further to a meeting between representatives of the Alliance of UK Health Regulators on Europe (AURE) and Health Minister, Rt Hon John Hutton MP on Tuesday 20th April we are pleased to confirm that progress has been made with regards to the registration of health professionals from the Accession countries (the A10 states).

The Department of Health has been able to confirm that the UK regulatory bodies for health should regard training in the A10 States begun on or after 1st May 2004 as compliant with EU requirements. This clarification is extremely helpful and we are grateful for it.

However, we remain unclear about the dates from which training in each of the A10 States became compliant with the minimum EU training requirements where this was before 1st May 2004. This is relevant where migrating professionals began their training prior to 1st May 2004. Department of Health officials have helpfully confirmed that, in the absence of this clarification from the Commission, we are entitled to assume that training commenced before the date of Accession does not comply, unless migrants seeking registration can provide certification of compliance from their Home State.

This outstanding gap in our information from the Commission will not prevent us from being able to process applications for registration from migrants from the A10 States. It may, however, make the process more burdensome for migrants who will need to provide additional documentation before we can determine their applications.

We therefore look forward to receiving clarification from the Commission so that we are better placed to facilitate the registration of competent health professionals from the A10 States who wish to practise in the UK.

We are grateful to the Department for facilitating this dialogue and achieving the level of clarification that has been forthcoming in recent days. However, we would welcome clarification of our outstanding concerns.

Ends

For further information and interviews with the Alliance spokespeople contact: Matt Ball , Convenor of AURE, on 020 7344 4750 or mobile 07909 992 807

Notes to editors:

1. The membership of the Alliance (AURE) is: General Medical Council, General Dental Council, General Optical Council, General Osteopathic Council, General Chiropractic Council, Health Professions Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, General Social Care Council and the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland.

2. These organisations are statutory bodies that exist to regulate those healthcare professionals who operate in these areas.

3. The accession states are: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia. The A10 will become full Members of the EU on 1st May 2004.

4. Further information can be found at www.aure.org.uk