Loophole to be closed on recognition of qualifications
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《英国医生杂志》
Health and social care regulators in the United Kingdom are welcoming the European parliament抯 decision to close a loophole which they believe could have posed a threat to patient safety.
Under plans to update existing European rules on the mutual recognition of qualifications, the European Commission had proposed that professionals trained in one EU country should be able to practise in another for up to four months without registering with the necessary authorities.
The legislation, which applies to doctors, midwives, pharmacists, and nurses as well as other professions ranging from architects and engineers to tour guides, is designed to make it easier for the holders of the qualifications to work throughout the European Union.
But critics feared this could prevent regulators from acting on complaints against foreign trained practitioners. In the United Kingdom, 10 bodies, including the General Medical Council, banded together to form the Alliance of UK Health Regulators on Europe to fight against the move to relax existing rules.
After careful lobbying of MEPs and EU governments, the alliance succeeded in persuading the European parliament this month to support amendments that would enable member states to insist that health professionals from abroad register with the appropriate authorities at the very outset.
At the same time, the parliament is requiring EU countries to exchange information between themselves on the fitness of professionals to operate in another country.
Matt Ball, the alliance抯 convenor, welcomed the amendments. "This will provide better protection for patients from incompetent and unscrupulous individuals who wish to move from one jurisdiction to another. The vote is good news for patients throughout the EU," he said.
The parliament also tightened up on the linguistic skills that medical practitioners must have when working in another EU member state. They will have to demonstrate the necessary language knowledge before undertaking any professional activity, and the host authorities may require proof of this proficiency before agreeing to register an individual.
However, the alliance is looking for further improvements in the draft legislation, which must still be approved by EU governments. In particular, it is pressing for the creation of a committee of health and social care representatives to provide the commission with specialist advice on health matters as required.
Mr Ball confirmed that after the alliance抯 success in shaping the professional qualifications legislation, the alliance is likely to continue and to promote its members?interests on other EU issues.(Brussels Rory Watson)
Under plans to update existing European rules on the mutual recognition of qualifications, the European Commission had proposed that professionals trained in one EU country should be able to practise in another for up to four months without registering with the necessary authorities.
The legislation, which applies to doctors, midwives, pharmacists, and nurses as well as other professions ranging from architects and engineers to tour guides, is designed to make it easier for the holders of the qualifications to work throughout the European Union.
But critics feared this could prevent regulators from acting on complaints against foreign trained practitioners. In the United Kingdom, 10 bodies, including the General Medical Council, banded together to form the Alliance of UK Health Regulators on Europe to fight against the move to relax existing rules.
After careful lobbying of MEPs and EU governments, the alliance succeeded in persuading the European parliament this month to support amendments that would enable member states to insist that health professionals from abroad register with the appropriate authorities at the very outset.
At the same time, the parliament is requiring EU countries to exchange information between themselves on the fitness of professionals to operate in another country.
Matt Ball, the alliance抯 convenor, welcomed the amendments. "This will provide better protection for patients from incompetent and unscrupulous individuals who wish to move from one jurisdiction to another. The vote is good news for patients throughout the EU," he said.
The parliament also tightened up on the linguistic skills that medical practitioners must have when working in another EU member state. They will have to demonstrate the necessary language knowledge before undertaking any professional activity, and the host authorities may require proof of this proficiency before agreeing to register an individual.
However, the alliance is looking for further improvements in the draft legislation, which must still be approved by EU governments. In particular, it is pressing for the creation of a committee of health and social care representatives to provide the commission with specialist advice on health matters as required.
Mr Ball confirmed that after the alliance抯 success in shaping the professional qualifications legislation, the alliance is likely to continue and to promote its members?interests on other EU issues.(Brussels Rory Watson)