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Government pushes for checks on doctors’ language skills
The Government is consulting on changes to the Medical Act to give powers to check the English language skills of all doctors. Health minister Dr Dan Poulter has unveiled new proposals on
how the checks will work. This follows his announcement to tighten rules about overseas doctors earlier this year. Under the proposals, the General Medical Council (GMC)
would be given new powers to protect the public and carry out assessments before an overseas doctor is allowed to treat patients. The new checks will be enforced where the GMC has cause for concern about a doctor’s language ability. Dr Poulter said: “Overseas doctors make a hugely valuable
contribution to the NHS but it is clear that tougher checks are needed. We have already strengthened the way doctors’ language skills are checked at a local level. “These new powers are an important step in making the
system even stronger by allowing the GMC to carry out checks on a national level before they start work in the UK and prevent doctors who do not have the necessary knowledge of English from treating patients.” Niall Dickson, chief executive of the GMC, said: “We are
delighted that the Government is consulting on changes to the Medical Act to give us new powers to check the English language skills of all doctors when we have concerns about them. This is an important move that will help protect patients and will be welcomed across the country.”
The consultation also outlines proposals for powers allowing the GMC to assess a doctor if language concerns arise during a fi tness to practise investigation – even if a doctor has been practising for some time. At present, the GMC has no power to require a doctor to undertake such an assessment during an investigation – regardless of nationality. This means it can be very diffi cult to gather enough objective evidence of language capability to take strong action where there are language concerns.
New NICE kidney
guidelines published NICE has published new guidelines on acute kidney injury (AKI), which could help prevent, detect and treat the condition.
The guidelines focus on prevention, recognition,
treatment and timely access to specialist services. Dr Kathryn Griffi th,
RCGP clinical champion for kidney care, said: “GPs can play a key role in identifying and treating patients with AKI and the RCGP welcomes the publication of the NICE guidelines. AKI is seen in 13-18% of all people admitted to hospital and the more patients identifi ed and treated in primary care, the better.”
THEY SAID
“To unleash the potential GPs are already showing in tackling the issues facing older people’s care, ministers need to roll back the bureaucratic nightmare that has been forced on GPs and expand GP, community and social care services. GPs need increased time, space and capacity to care for vulnerable older patients. It is only through real investment, support and partnership with healthcare professionals that the NHS will be able to deliver the personalised, high quality care for older people that we all want to see.”
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the BMA’s GP committee, on Jeremy Hunt’s plans to alleviate pressure on A&E departments through GP-led personalised care for older patients
Missing out GP practices across the UK are among property owners losing out on millions of pounds in unclaimed capital allowances. They also run the risk of signifi cantly reducing the value of their premises as changes in the Finance Act come into effect in April.
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