For Immediate Release
15.01.03

Representatives of the Alliance of UK Health Regulators on Europe (AURE) met with Health Minister, John Hutton, to discuss their concerns regarding the proposed Directive on the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications. Cross-bench peer, Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, who has been a vocal supporter of the Alliance campaign, attended the meeting with the group.

The Alliance has been active in lobbying against those proposals, which they see as threatening patient safety. Of particular concern is the suggestion that professionals could practise unregulated in the UK, or any other Member State, for up to 16 weeks per year.

Convenor of the Alliance and Public Affairs Manager for the GMC, Matt Ball, said:

‘We wanted to convey to the Minister our concerns that the current proposals are a clear threat to patient safety. We are not arguing against free movement of professionals, or the rights of patients to seek treatment in other countries. We are, however, seriously concerned where patient safety could be compromised by professionals not being required to register with the appropriate regulator, which would allow for the usual checks on their career history’

Alvan Seth-Smith, Director of Education at the General Dental Council, said:

‘We welcome the assurances the Minster gave in sharing our concerns and in stating clearly that the Government would not allow patient safety to be jeopardised. We were also pleased by his commitment to work with other Governments across Europe, that share our concerns, to ensure that the necessary changes are achieved’.

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.