Training needs tighter regulation

15 February 2010

A CLEAR regulatory framework must be put in place for the education and training of doctors in career posts, according to a draft report from the General Medical Council.

The consultation document looks at the future regulation of medical education ahead of the council’s merger with the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) in April.

The review by Lord Patel contains 27 recommendations affecting medical education post-merger, including accreditation for postgraduate trainers. Lord Patel urges an aspiration for excellence and looks for areas where regulation could be enhanced.

Among the recommendations, Lord Patel suggests:

• The GMC should enhance links with key parties including patients, the profession, training providers and other regulators.
• A reconsideration of proposals for student registration with the GMC.
• Improved clarity over who is responsible for F1 doctors.
• The GMC should consider addressing the lack of equivalence between the standards expected of UK and European doctors entering specialist and GP registers.
• The GMC should address the legislative anomaly allowing doctors not on the specialist register to take up locum consultant posts.

Comments can be made here until March 9, 2010