Are current EU rules putting patients at risk?

On the way to work I heard about the language issues which are thought to be affecting the quality of patient care on the radio. The House of Lords committee and the GMC believe that patients may be at risk due to free movement of GPs.

This was a bit issue in the news in 2008 when a German doctor gave a fatal overdose of painkillers to a patient on his first (and only) working shift in Britain. The doctor was accused of negligence and was given a sentenced suspension in Germany but was still able to practice in UK. This has lead people to believe that the current rules and questioning patient safety. Ministers and the GMC have expressed frustration at the current situation. The European commision have planned a review of the guidelines and we are to expect 'firm proposals' by the end of the year.

Andrew Lansley spoke on the BBC news about the changes which need to occur. When a doctor comes to the UK they need to be first registered with the GMC and then assessed for skills (and language) before they are put on the performers list and are able to work in general practice. Language tests can be used for this assessment; it is not against EU rules becasue it is for NHS employment. Therefore language tests can legally be applied to foreign doctors as an employment check; this is also the same for nurse, midwives and pharmacists.

Under the current European law we can not put a restraint on the movement of European doctors. However we can assess them in terms of employment; if there are questions about someone's fitness to practice this should be flagged up.