§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the light of the fact that overseas trained doctors are finding progress unsatisfactory and medical postgraduate training uncertain and incomplete, if he will consider the introduction of some degree of organised job allocation and training to give some degree of security and more equitable distribution of teaching experience to these visiting doctors.
§ Dr. VaughanOver the years many thousands of overseas doctors have satisfactorily completed their training here and returned home, and we do not consider special training arrangements are needed for overseas doctors as a group.
We have, however, agreed with the Overseas Doctors' Association that the most practical way to improve training prospects for all—including overseas qualified—doctors is to ensure that all training posts in the National Health Service are of a satisfactory standard. In conjunction with the Council for Postgraduate Medical Education, we are, 157W therefore, examining whether any amendment to the present continuing programme of inspection and academic-approval of posts, is needed to achieve this.