§ Mr. CameronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to make it easier for doctors from Australia and New Zealand to practise in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [57962]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department of Health is working closely with the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice, Specialist Training Authority and medical Royal Colleges to enable suitably qualified and experienced doctors from overseas wishing to enter the UK medical practice to do so as quickly as is possible.
In November 2001, we removed the funding bar that has prevented overseas doctors being funded for training in general practice. We expected to see even more applications this year as a result.