Plans for 'doctors licences' revealed

All doctors will have to have a licence to practise

Plans to introduce licences to practise for doctors have been unveiled by the government.

The proposals are aimed at ensuring all doctors are practising the most up-to-date and safe medicine possible

The General Medical Council, which regulates the medical profession, developed the proposals - with doctors and patients - which have now been put out for consultation by the Department of Health

Under the plans for revalidation, every practising doctor will have to submit evidence proving they meet set standards to the GMC every five years.

Licences will assure patients that the doctor that is caring for them is performing to the high standards we expect in a 21st century NHS

Health minister John Hutton

Those who do not take part or do not meet the required standards will not be able to have a licence and will therefore not be able to treat patients or prescribe drugs for them.

It will be a criminal offence to pretend to have a licence.

Doctors already undergo annual appraisals of how they practise which will feed into revalidation.

The proposals for licensing are part of a raft of measures aimed at making the GMC better able to protect patients from under-performing doctors, and to make the GMC itself a more accountable organisation.

'United approach'

Other changes which are proposed in the government's consultation paper include increasing the proportion of non-medical members on the GMC's central council from 25 to 40% and a quicker and simpler process for dealing with cases looking at doctors' fitness to practise.

The document is the first stage in the process needed to make changes to the laws governing the regulation of doctors.

After the three-month consultation period is over, the paper must be debated in both Houses of Parliament.

If the plans are accepted, they could be implemented early next year.

Dr Ian Bogle of the BMA wants professionally led regulation

Launching the paper on Monday, health minister John Hutton said: "The government, the medical profession and patient representatives are united in aiming to secure public approval for the way doctors are regulated.

"We want to see a more streamlined GMC, with much greater patient and public involvement.

"One where cases are dealt with more quickly and more transparently, while maintaining accountability to Parliament."

Public confidence

He added: "The reforms we are setting out today will achieve these goals and strengthen public confidence in professionally-led regulation.

"In particular, licences will assure patients that the doctor that is caring for them is performing to the high standards we expect in a 21st century NHS."

Sir Graeme Catto, president of the GMC said: "I am pleased that the government has accepted our proposals for reform.

"We have worked hard to get to this point and consulted widely to ensure that this is the right package.

"I am delighted that we are now working together to deliver the changes that will ensure the GMC continues to function effectively for both patients and doctors."

Dr Ian Bogle, British Medical Association chairman of council said it had been heavily involved in the background work which led to these proposals: "The BMA wants to see a system of professionally led regulation which commands the confidence of patients and doctors.

"We will continue to work closely with the GMC to develop a system that is rigorous but does not duplicate other checks on doctors' performance and does not take too much time away from patient care."