GMC/PMETB merger funding agreed

The Department of Health (England) has allocated £7.1 million to enable the merger of PMETB with the GMC.

Among other things, the funding will cover the relocation of PMETB colleagues to 350 Euston Road and the costs associated with business integration which will be delivered over the next few years. Meantime, in July of this year, the GMC made a commitment that there would be no rise in the fees charged for CCT, CESR and CEGPR in 2010 – 2011.

Paul Buckley, Director of Education and Revalidation, said:

“Once the merger is complete, in April 2010, the regulation of all stages of medical education will be the responsibility of a single organisation. This streamlining will further strengthen the regulation of doctors’ education and training at all points in their medical career.

“It is right that the costs of the merger are funded by the Department of Health and not through individual doctor’s registration fees and we are delighted that the Department has confirmed that this money will be made available ”.

PMETB Chief Executive Graham Smith said:

“This is a clear sign of the excellent progress we’ve made. It sends a reassuring message to trainees as it shows that the merger is well on track and further that any related costs are completely taken care of, with no implications for certification fees.”

Notes to editors:

For further information please contact the Media Relations Office on 020 7189 5454, out of hours 020 7189 5444, fax 020 7189 5401, email press@gmc-uk.org, website http://www.gmc-uk.org.

The General Medical Council registers and licenses doctors to practise medicine in the UK. Our purpose is summed up in the phrase: Regulating doctors, Ensuring Good Medical Practice.

The law gives us four main functions:
• keeping up-to-date registers of qualified doctors
• fostering good medical practice
• promoting high standards of medical education
• dealing firmly and fairly with doctors whose fitness to practise is in doubt