§ Mr. McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms he is putting in place to facilitate the recruitment of the overseas doctors identified in the NHS plan. [149805]
431W
§ Mr. DenhamOver the last six months we have put into place an effective infrastructure capable of supporting the increased levels of international recruitment envisaged in the National Health Service.
A director of international recruitment has been appointed to implement a national strategy for international recruitment and co-ordinate the work of regional office leads in this area.
To practise in this country, all overseas doctors need to satisfy the registration requirements of the General Medical Council (GMC); doctors employed at consultant level also need to satisfy the Specialist Training Authority (STA) that they hold satisfactory specialist medical qualifications. The Department is working with the GMC, STA and the royal colleges to ensure overseas doctors are able to progress quickly and efficiently through the necessary registration procedures.
A Government to Government agreement was signed with Spain in November 2000 to promote closer working between the two countries. As part of this agreement, the first 63 nurses arrived in the North West on 19 January 2000 to work in four NHS trusts. Following this successful recruitment, the initiative is being extended to medical staff through a pilot project also being led by North West Region.
We are also investigating the recruitment of doctors from other countries who have a surplus of doctors, both within the European Economic Area and outside.