§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present position with regard to the acceptability in the United Kingdom of medical qualifications obtained elsewhere, and particularly in other countries of the EEC.
§ Dr. OwenIn accordance with the provisions of the Medical Acts an overseas medical qualification may be recognised by the General Medical Council for the purpose of registration as a medical practitioner. The council recognises some—mainly those obtained in Commonwealth countries—for full registration if accompanied by appropriate experience, and a fully registered overseas doctor of good repute is entitled to practise in the same way as is a United Kingdom graduate. Other qualifications may be recognised for temporary registration, whereby the doctor can take up a specific post approved by the council.
Doctors who hold registrable qualifications from the Republic of Ireland are granted full registration under special arrangements. At the present time qualifications obtained in member countries of the EEC may be recognised by the General Medical Council only for temporary registration.