EU health plan 'threatens patient safety'

Doctors could work unregistered under the directive

Health organisations are warning that a new European directive which lets doctors and nurses work in the UK without being registered could put patients' safety at risk.

A coalition of 10 regulatory bodies are opposing the directive which is being discussed at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday.

A poor doctor, dentist or nurse can cause huge harm to a patient in 16 minutes let alone 16 weeks

Jonathan Asbridge, President of the Nursing and Midwifery Council

The rule would allow health professionals from one member state to work in other countries for up to 16 weeks a year without registering.

President of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Jonathan Asbridge, said he was extremely worried about the situation.

"Our worst fear is that somebody who has been struck off the register in the country in which they trained could come to this country with no checks being made on their registration for the first four months of either their employment or their independent practise," he told the BBC.

"If we don't register people in this country from day one we know a poor doctor, dentist or nurse can cause huge harm to a patient in 16 minutes let alone 16 weeks."

In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, the health groups say they are "profoundly concerned" about the proposal.

Patient safety

Among the signatories is Professor Sir Graeme Catto, president of the General Medical Council, Professor Nairn Wilson, president of the General Dental Council and Marshall Davies, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

They say they support the movement of doctors and other health staff but not if it puts patients' lives at risk.

And they add it goes against what they and the government are trying to do in terms of patient safety.

The letter concludes: "Our view is supported by both patient and consumer groups and we urge the commission to ensure that such proposals are dropped from the draft directive."

Sir Graeme told the BBC: "We very much welcome the contribution that health professionals from the other EU countries make to the health service in the UK, and we want to ensure that they can come and join us without undue problem.

"But we believe the draft directive poses real problems for patient safety."

Sir Graeme said only a small number of doctors took advantage of the opportunity to work in other EU countries, but he said the proportion was growing.

Shadow Health Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: "I am deeply alarmed by this draft directive because it would put patients' health at serious risk.

"The dangers are obvious. Somebody who has been struck off the register in the country in which they trained could come to this country and practice for 16 weeks before any checks are made on them."