GMC confirms exam rules

20 July 2010

EXAMS passed by doctors who are in specialty training - or about to start - will count towards qualification even if they are taken in non-approved training posts.

The GMC confirmed the move in a joint statement released this month. The statement is signed by the BMA Junior Doctors’ Committee, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, COPMeD and Remedy UK.

It states that doctors who are already in specialty training or who will enter by October 31, 2011, will be able to have any exams passed in previously approved national professional exams counted towards a Certificate of Completion of Training, even if they were taken outside approved training. The GMC will issue guidance by the end of October 2010 setting out their stance on the issue for doctors who may enter a CCT programme after October 31, 2011.

The move will reassure many doctors who were concerned by a legal opinion issued earlier this year by the GMC that suggested exams taken out of programme wouldn’t count towards CCTs.

Niall Dickson, Chief Executive of the GMC, said: “The new legal opinion that the GMC has obtained has given us the flexibility we need. I believe all the organisations share a determination to understand and respond to the needs of trainees while ensuring that the coherence and integrity of training programmes are maintained. That is what patients and the service expect from us and I am confident we can all continue to work together over the next few months to develop a long term solution.”

JDC chair Shree Datta added: “The statement should allay the fears of many juniors in or about to enter specialty and GP training.

“However, it is clear that discussions in the next six months will be crucial to iron out the role of exams in postgraduate training. There is no doubt that the input of junior doctors in the forthcoming review will be key to ensuring any proposed changes are relevant and beneficial to those who will be affected.”