Menu
23/07/2008
Doctors 'MOT' Test Revealed
Details have now emerged of how the Government will set about introducing five-yearly 'MOTs' for doctors.
The Government committed itself to introducing a system of re-licensing the UK's 150,000 doctors to test their basic competence as a medic last year, and now a system is being drawn up to be piloted over the next 18 months by Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson.
He said: "At the moment, we rely on trust - and that is right - but we want to underpin that with more objective evidence."
He added as well as "weeding out the bad doctors", the system was being designed to improve the standards of all those practising.
Now, both GPs and consultants will face specific testing to see if they can continue in their specialities in changes that have been dubbed the biggest shake-up in doctor regulation in 150 years.
The Chief Medical Officer's comments were given cautious backing by the BMA.
Its Chairman, Dr Hamish Meldrum said: "The BMA is supportive of plans to appraise doctors in order to develop and improve their skills.
"However, it is essential that the CMO's proposals are not unduly burdensome for doctors and result in them having to spend less time with patients.
"It is vital that the new system is good for patients and fair to doctors," he said.
"The vast majority of doctors are dedicated to providing high quality care to their patients.
"It is important that these proposals are not used to weed out the minority of doctors who are under-performing – there are other processes in place to do this.
"The BMA does have some concerns about the timescales for piloting and implementation and we could not accept a situation where certain specialities were chosen for early roll out, simply because it was considered easier to progress with them first."
(DS)
The Government committed itself to introducing a system of re-licensing the UK's 150,000 doctors to test their basic competence as a medic last year, and now a system is being drawn up to be piloted over the next 18 months by Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson.
He said: "At the moment, we rely on trust - and that is right - but we want to underpin that with more objective evidence."
He added as well as "weeding out the bad doctors", the system was being designed to improve the standards of all those practising.
Now, both GPs and consultants will face specific testing to see if they can continue in their specialities in changes that have been dubbed the biggest shake-up in doctor regulation in 150 years.
The Chief Medical Officer's comments were given cautious backing by the BMA.
Its Chairman, Dr Hamish Meldrum said: "The BMA is supportive of plans to appraise doctors in order to develop and improve their skills.
"However, it is essential that the CMO's proposals are not unduly burdensome for doctors and result in them having to spend less time with patients.
"It is vital that the new system is good for patients and fair to doctors," he said.
"The vast majority of doctors are dedicated to providing high quality care to their patients.
"It is important that these proposals are not used to weed out the minority of doctors who are under-performing – there are other processes in place to do this.
"The BMA does have some concerns about the timescales for piloting and implementation and we could not accept a situation where certain specialities were chosen for early roll out, simply because it was considered easier to progress with them first."
(DS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 May 2010
Doctors Slam Revalidation Proposals
Doctors' leaders today called on the General Medical Council (GMC) to 'go back to the drawing board' and rethink the revalidation proposals for all UK doctors. In its response to the GMC consultation document 'Revalidation: The Way Ahead', the British Medical Association (BMA) said that, as they stand, doctors cannot support the plans.
Doctors Slam Revalidation Proposals
Doctors' leaders today called on the General Medical Council (GMC) to 'go back to the drawing board' and rethink the revalidation proposals for all UK doctors. In its response to the GMC consultation document 'Revalidation: The Way Ahead', the British Medical Association (BMA) said that, as they stand, doctors cannot support the plans.
16 June 2003
More assistance needed for refugee doctors says BMA
The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for refugee doctors to be given more assistance to pass exams necessary for registration in UK. There are currently 865 refugee doctors on voluntary databases who want to work for the NHS, according to the BMA, and many are subsisting on state benefits of £37 per week.
More assistance needed for refugee doctors says BMA
The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for refugee doctors to be given more assistance to pass exams necessary for registration in UK. There are currently 865 refugee doctors on voluntary databases who want to work for the NHS, according to the BMA, and many are subsisting on state benefits of £37 per week.
09 December 2004
Patients can trust their doctors, says BMA
Patients can and do still trust their doctors, says the British Medical Association (BMA) on the day the fifth report of the Shipman Inquiry is published. The BMA said cumulative changes to the way doctors work, introduced since the conviction of Harold Shipman, justified the retention of professionally led regulation.
Patients can trust their doctors, says BMA
Patients can and do still trust their doctors, says the British Medical Association (BMA) on the day the fifth report of the Shipman Inquiry is published. The BMA said cumulative changes to the way doctors work, introduced since the conviction of Harold Shipman, justified the retention of professionally led regulation.
03 June 2004
Lack of funding and staff are frustrating health initiatives: BMA
Doctors across the UK are leading innovative approaches to patient care but are blocked from developing their projects further by lack of funding and staff, according to a new publication launched by the British Medical Association (BMA) today.
Lack of funding and staff are frustrating health initiatives: BMA
Doctors across the UK are leading innovative approaches to patient care but are blocked from developing their projects further by lack of funding and staff, according to a new publication launched by the British Medical Association (BMA) today.
03 August 2009
Improvements For Welsh Junior Doctors Sought
A campaign aimed at improving the working lives of junior doctors in Wales gets underway today. BMA Cymru Wales has become increasingly concerned about working conditions of junior doctors in general.
Improvements For Welsh Junior Doctors Sought
A campaign aimed at improving the working lives of junior doctors in Wales gets underway today. BMA Cymru Wales has become increasingly concerned about working conditions of junior doctors in general.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
