§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many bogus doctors have been discovered(a) in private practices, (b) working as general practitioners in the NHS and (c) as hospital doctors in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [42069]
266W
§ Mr. MilburnThe information requested is not collected centrally. The General Medical Council (GMC) is responsible for maintaining the register of medical practitioners in order to distinguish the qualified from the unqualified medical practitioner.
Before doctors can practise anywhere in the United Kingdom, they must have obtained registration with the GMC. In each case the GMC requires originals of the diplomas and certificates confirming the applicant's qualifications and detailed documentation concerning experience.
The GMC keep their registration procedure under constant review to ensure that they are as secure as possible against fraud. As a further safeguard, the Department has issued guidance (PM(87)7, EL(92)53 and EL(92)84) reminding employing authorities that appointment procedures must ensure that candidates are properly registered with the GMC.
The GMC operates a 24 hour automated telephone inquiry service which can be accessed by authorities wishing to check a doctor's credentials. Additionally, an operator service is available during working hours for people wishing to make more detailed inquiries.