New checks on NHS doctors’ language skills to be launched

New rules are to be introduced for NHS doctors to ensure they are able to speak English well enough to treat patients.

The new government regulations will come into effect from April 1st 2013 and will enshrine linguistic proficiency as a legal duty, while a single national list of all doctors who have proven their ability to speak English clearly to be introduced.

In order to treat NHS patients, medical professionals will need to be included on this list, a move that will help guarantee a high standard of practice while preventing poor performers from slipping through the cracks.

A consultation is also being launched on new powers for the General Medical Council (GMC) that would prevent doctors from being granted a licence to practise medicine in the UK if concerns about their grasp of English persist.

Health minister Dr Dan Poulter said: "There are lots of excellent doctors from around the world working in the NHS – this is simply about protecting patients and having proper checks on a doctor’s ability to speak English."

The GMC has welcomed this move as one that will help to strengthen patient safety across the UK.