Language Controls for Doctors

Monday 9th September 2013 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Dr Daniel Poulter)]

The Department of Health has been working with the General Medical Council (GMC) and other stakeholders to look at ways to ensure that the language capability of doctors working in the UK is sufficient, and earlier this year I signalled the Government’s intention to further tighten rules about overseas doctors.

Subsequently, on 7 September 2013 the Government launched their consultation “Language Controls for Doctors—Proposed Changes to the Medical Act 1983”, which consults on proposals to amend the Medical Act 1983 to give the GMC more explicit powers to take action where concerns arise about a doctor’s English language capability. The draft Medical Act (Amendment) (Knowledge of English) Order has also been published alongside the consultation document. The proposals are designed to complement and further strengthen the existing language controls imposed through the responsible officer regulations, performer’s list regulations and other checks undertaken at a local level.

The consultation will close on 2 December and the Government welcome views on the proposals and invite comments through the consultation process.

“Language Controls for Doctors—Proposed Changes to the Medical Act 1983” and the draft Medical Act (Amendment) (Knowledge of English) Order have been placed in the Library. Copies are available to hon. Members from the Vote Office and to noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office.