§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what precautionary steps are to be taken to ensure that health professionals from other EU member states are fit to practice on arrival in Northern Ireland, with particular reference to the imminent expansion of the European Union. [160629]
§ Angela SmithAll acceding States are committed to ensuring that the qualifications they award to doctors, nurses responsible for general care, midwives, dentists and pharmacists who begin their training on or after the date of accession meet specified minimum requirements. It is for the European Commission, who are closely monitoring their progress, to see that these obligations are met. They intend to update member states shortly.
Other migrant workers will be entitled to a comparative scrutiny of their qualifications and experience against any national requirements, and, in the event of a substantial difference, may be required to undertake additional training or experience.