§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 4 May,Official Report, column 65, what safeguards have been introduced, following her departmental inquiry into matters relating to Mohammed Saeed, to prevent unqualified persons from becoming general practitioners; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyMr. Saeed was granted full registration by the General Medical Council in 1961 on the basis of reciprocal agreements with overseas medical schools in place at that time. These agreements are now more restricted in scope and the council's registration procedures have been considerably tightened up. The Department recently issued guidance (EL(92)84) to national health service-employing authorities and family health services authorities reminding them of the need to be sure that procedures for employing doctors involve checks which confirm that they are registered with the General Medical Council and that their registration certificates cover the tasks they are expected to undertake. A copy of the guidance is available in the Library.