Registration news
Completing your GP training programme on or before 31 July 2008?
The Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) is warning that as 2,000 doctors are due to complete their GP registrar training between now and the end of July, it may take slightly longer than usual for them to complete their administrative checks, award Certificates of Completion of Training (CCT) and submit those doctors’ names to us to enter onto the GP Register.
If you are a GP trainee expecting to complete your programme of training on or before 31 July 2008, you should act now to ensure that you are entered onto the GP Register in time to take up a post on 1 August 2008.
For information on the steps you need to take, please visit www.pmetb.org.uk/gptrainees
Changes to age exemption regulations - update
Further to the article below, the Council met on 22 May 2008 to consider what action to take given that the exemption from payment of the Annual Retention Fee (ARF) on the basis of reaching age 65 contravenes the law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of age.
Under the Regulations made in 2006, it is unlawful for a qualifications body to discriminate on grounds of age in the terms on which it confers, renews or extends a qualification which is either required for, or facilitates engagement in, a particular trade or profession. The Regulations specify that, for these purposes, qualification includes registration.
The Council agreed, therefore, that exemption from the ARF on the grounds of age must be ended in order to comply with the law. The Council also agreed that no new exemptions from the ARF on the grounds of age should be granted after 30 June 2008 and that those who are currently exempt from the ARF on the grounds of age will be liable to pay the ARF after 31 October 2008 if they wish to remain on the register.
We have written to doctors who are currently exempt or about to become so. In doing so we have advised them of this decision and that we will write to them again in August 2008, when we will ask them whether they wish either to make arrangements to pay the ARF or to relinquish their registration. In the meantime they are not required to take any action until they receive our next letter.
Further updates will also be placed on this page of the GMC website.
Changes to age exemption regulations
The GMC has recently received leading Counsel’s advice that the current age exemption is almost certainly unlawful as it is contrary to provisions contained in the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006.
The age exemption, which has been in existence since 1970, enables doctors who have reached the age of 65 to apply for exemption from paying an annual retention fee.
We are obliged to comply with the law and consequently we will be considering what further action we need to take.
We have written to doctors who are currently exempt, or about to become so. In doing so we have made it clear that the change does not require them to take any action at this point. We will contact them again when we are in a position to advise them as to the way forward.
Further updates will also be placed on this page of the GMC website.
New immigration rules for international medical graduates
New immigration rules that will restrict international medical graduates’ access to UK postgraduate medical training were announced by the Department of Health on 6 February 2008. You can read more about this on the Department of Health website.
Borderline Group scoring method introduced to PLAB Part 2 exam
From May 2008 the PLAB Part 2 exam will be standard set using the Borderline Group scoring method. This is an internationally recognised method of standard setting and it ensures that exams are of a consistent standard over time. More details will follow.
Increase in the Annual Retention Fee
The GMC’s fees to doctors will rise in April 2008 for the first time in six years. The new fee levels will be £135 for provisional registration; £390 for full registration; and £390 for retention and restoration to the register. The threshold for eligibility for the lower income discount will increase to £21,391.
Read more about the increase to the Annual Retention Fee and how the GMC is striving to improve its economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
New Registration Framework for Doctors
The GMC introduced a new registration framework on 19 October 2007. Key changes include the abolition of limited registration and the introduction of approved practice settings. Read about the New Registration Framework.
Changes to the way Certificates of Good Standing are issued
Read about changes to the way that Certificates of Good Standing are issued.