Regulating doctors, ensuring good medical practice

Fees frozen for doctors completing specialty/GP training

Press Release

09 Jul 2009

Fees for trainee doctors completing specialty/GP training - and those seeking certification via the equivalence routes - will be frozen at the current levels for 2010/11.

I know trainees will welcome this news as it gives assurance that the fee levels will not rise in 2010/11.

Professor Peter Rubin, Chair of the GMC

The GMC and PMETB have announced that the fees for trainee doctors completing specialty/GP training - and those seeking certification via the equivalence routes - will be frozen at the current levels for 2010/11.

The Government announced that PMETB would be merged with the GMC following an independent inquiry into ‘Modernising Medical Careers’ led by Sir John Tooke. The merger aims to build on the strengths of both bodies and, once complete, will mean that for the first time, all stages of medical education and training are the responsibility of a single organisation.

The GMC and PMETB are working together to ensure the merger is achieved by the planned date of 1 April 2010. The legislation, which will transfer PMETB’s power to the GMC, is currently being consulted on by the Department of Health (England). Funding for the merger has been agreed, in principle, by the Department of Health, subject to further work.

GMC Chair, Professor Peter Rubin said: “I know trainees will welcome this news as it gives assurance that the fee levels will not rise in 2010/11.

"The full benefits of the merger will not be realised for some time – however I am pleased that the immediate economies of scale can be passed on to doctors in specialty and GP training. The merger provides an opportunity for a more radical look at the fees and the funding structure and the GMC will consult on proposals after the merger has been completed.”

PMETB Chair, Professor Stuart Macpherson said: “This announcement is another positive step in the journey towards PMETB’s merger with the GMC next year.

"It is important because it provides reassurance to trainees wishing to apply for specialist or general practice registration, that both organisations are committed to ensuring that the merger does not cause doctors any inconvenience. Most importantly it tells trainees that we are able to continue to offer a fair, thorough and expedient certificate application service with no additional costs for applicants.

“Both the GMC and PMETB look forward to working towards the continued progression and development of high standards of medical training and education in the UK."

PMETB

PMETB is a statutory body, responsible for overseeing and promoting the development of postgraduate medical education and training for all specialties, including general practice, across the UK. It assumed its statutory powers on 30 September 2005 taking over the responsibilities of the Specialist Training Authority of the Medical Royal Colleges (STA) and the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice (JCPTGP).

The vision that PMETB has set itself is to achieve excellence in postgraduate medical education, training, assessment and accreditation throughout the UK to improve the knowledge, skills and experience of doctors and the health and healthcare of patients and the public.

In response to the outcomes of Sir John Tooke’s MMC Inquiry, the Department of Health has announced that PMETB and the GMC should be merged from 2010. This will provide a single seamless regulatory structure for medical education from medical school through to postgraduate education and training and continuous learning until retirement.