General Chat

Hallelujah - It took them long enough to realise something that everyone else thought was essential ;-)

Foreign doctors will have to prove they can speak a "necessary level of English" before they are allowed to treat patients in hospitals or in GP surgeries, the Department of Health said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21547513

And about time too !

Common sense prevails for once.

It's taken almost 2 years since the German doctor was refused a position in one authority, because of his lack of English, employed by another and killed a patient with a fatal overdose on his first shift!!!

common sense prevails

however, we do need foreign doctors for many reasons - friend of mine was literally dying with an undiagnosed condition - foreign doctor came on the scene and recognised the condition immediatey as it was endemic in her country - TB of the lining of the stomach - he is fine now after treatment

Just been reading this online earlier. How on earth did the GP get a position in Cambridge when he'd been rejected from Leeds Trust? surely the interviews should follow same procedure!?

From April the loophole will be closed thankfully,just so sad and pitiful that someone had to die before the powers that be got moving.

speaking English clearly is essential in psychiatric hospitals - I worked in one for nigh on thirty years and many of the overseas doctors were very difficult to understand

yes and speaking English is essential for patients to fully understand what their GP is saying, regarding their treatment/s etc.
Our family doctor, in a practice of four doctors, is Indian, he is very well spoken in English and he gives us confidence.I

I wonder if it will be extended to Foreign Nurses,

Roy

Porkie_Pie - that would mean using their brains, something that is often lacking in modern day politicians, the only time their brains are fully engaged is when it relates to their wallets ;-)