EU rules may increase chances of medical negligence

The House of Lords EU Committee has concluded that European Union rules may be putting patients at risk of medical negligence.

Lady Young of Hornsey, chair of the House of Lords EU Committee, has called for urgent measures to be put in place to check the competency, experience and language skills of foreign doctors, midwives, dentists and pharmacists.

It is thought that a poor standard of English among UK doctors may seriously harm the diagnosis and administering of care to patients.

The House of Lords Committee asserted that EU rules regarding foreign workers were forcing medical regulating bodies to accredit candidates who may not meet UK healthcare standards.

Under the current system the General Medical Council can only check the competence and language skills of applicants from outside the EU, because of the EU's Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive, which assures freedom of movement for EU nationals.

A possible extension of the mandate to include the vetting of EU candidates will not come into effect until 2017.

Published by Phil Hammond