MEPs demand more training for doctors

Date: 02/11/00

By John Shelley

PROPOSALS to make it easier for medical professionals to work anywhere in the EU are being held up as MEPs attempt to introduce tougher Union-wide training standards for doctors.

The European Parliament and member states are preparing for conciliation talks on the proposed directive, which would require all EU countries to recognise medical professional qualifications earned in any member state including those for nurses, doctors, veterinary surgeons and midwives. The dispute centres on how much training should be required for a doctor to be allowed to practise anywhere in the Union.

The original proposal drawn up by the European Commission sought only to simplify single market rules which oblige member states to accept medical qualifications from other EU countries and make it easier for nurses and doctors to get certification which allows them to work abroad. It would also force them to take account of medical experience gained working outside the Union.

MEPs agree with this principle, but want to go further. "What the Parliament is after is something different," explained one official. "They want the directive to do something additional to raise the standards in doctors' training."

The assembly argues that general practitioners (GPs) should have a minimum of three years medical school training to practise abroad. In some member states, GPs are required to study for only two years on top of their basic training.

MEPs also want specialist doctors to be required to attend general practice courses, and all doctors to undergo continuous top-up training to get their skills recognised internationally. But some governments are opposed to this. "Member states which do not currently have these levels of training would be very unhappy with rules which would mean they have to improve their standards," explained one official.

Proposals to make it easier for medical professionals to work anywhere in the EU are being held up as MEPs attempt to introduce tougher Union-wide training standards for doctors.