Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to expedite the registration of those doctors who are awaiting final registration by the General Medical Council so that they may assist with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government is working closely with the General Medical Council (GMC), which is responsible for registering medical practitioners in the United Kingdom.

Requirements for registration are at a high standard to ensure that anyone joining the medical register has the necessary medical knowledge and skills to practise safely in the UK.

The GMC has prioritised applications from people who are be able to provide the required evidence, which can be assessed more quickly.

The GMC has also written to all final year medical students across the UK to invite them to apply for provisional registration. The GMC will follow its usual policies and procedures to ensure that students joining the medical register are fit to practise.