New proposals on doctors’ language checks outlined

The Department of Health has unveiled new plans for additional checks on doctors' language skills, part of wider efforts to ensure overseas medical professionals meet necessary standards.

Under the proposals, the General Medical Council (GMC) will be given new powers to carry out assessments before an overseas doctor is allowed to treat patients, in cases where there is cause for concern about a doctor's language ability.

An NHS survey of senior doctors in 2011 indicated that there were 66 cases during the year in which senior doctors had to deal with linguistic concerns about a local doctor.

In April 2013, the government introduced new rules to ensure that language checks on medical staff are carried out at a local level in England, while a single national list was introduced which every GP has to be on before they can treat NHS patients.

Health minister Dr Dan Poulter said: "Overseas doctors make a hugely valuable contribution to the NHS but it is clear that tougher checks are needed."

The GMC has stated that these moves will help to guarantee a higher standard of patient safety and care quality.