§ Mr. Baron:To ask the Secretary of State for Health what private agencies are used to recruit doctors from abroad; and what checks are put in place to ensure that these doctors meet the required standards. [140633]
§ Mr. Hutton:National health service trusts are responsible for their own recruitment. Trusts are strongly advised when recruiting internationally to use only those agencies that are compliant to the code of practice for NHS employers involved in the international recruitment of healthcare professionals, published in 2001. The list of compliant agencies can be found on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/international.recruitment/agencylist-nhs-ref.htm.
In order to practise as a doctor in the United Kingdom, a doctor must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and satisfy the GMC that they have the acquired necessary knowledge, skills and experience.
§ Mr. Baron:To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it has been determined whether health professionals from (a) Hungary, (b) Slovakia and (c) Poland have the necessary qualifications to practise in this country after these countries join the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [140634]
§ Mr. Hutton:All acceding states are committed to ensuring that the qualifications they award to doctors, dentists, pharmacists, midwives and nurses responsible for general care who begin their training on or after the date of accession meet specified minimum requirements. Only those who meet these requirements will then benefit from automatic recognition throughout the European Union.
Practitioners from these states who are already qualified or who are currently in training must show that they either meet these requirements in full or have recent and substantial practice experience.