GMC Statement: In response to the Health Select Committee report: The use of overseas doctors in providing out of hours care

Niall Dickson, Chief Executive of the General Medical Council said :

"The recommendations from the Health Select Committee are to be welcomed in particular the support of our call to be able to test the language and clinical competence of EEA-qualified doctors.

"As we made clear in our evidence to the Committee, doctors from outside the UK make a significant contribution to healthcare in this country, but patient safety must always take priority over the free movement of labour. As the regulator we must be able to test the language and clinical competence of doctors who qualified within the EEA, as we already do for doctors coming from the rest of the world.

"Whilst we will continue to work with the Department of Health and through the European Parliament to secure the changes we need, it is critical that employers ensure that the doctors they employ are fit to do the job. We have written to all PCTs and employers across the UK to remind them of their responsibility in this area".