Licence on way for all doctors

DOCTORS in Oldham will soon need a licence to practise medicine following changes to the law.

Currently, to practise medicine in the UK, a doctor has to be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC).

From autumn, all doctors will need a licence in addition to their GMC registration to prescribe or undertake any form of medical practice in the UK.

The GMC is writing to Oldham’s 1,006 doctors ahead of the change in the law over the next few weeks.

There are some exceptions, such as doctors on a career break or working overseas. They can hold registration without a licence until their situation changes.

The GMC is asking doctors to confirm whether or not they need a licence to practise when the law changes later this year.

Prof Peter Rubin, GMC chairman, said: “We want doctors to confirm that they require a licence before our regulations change and I encourage every doctor in Oldham to respond to our campaign.

“The introduction of the licence later this year is the first step towards a new system called revalidation that will help doctors develop their professional practice throughout their careers and contribute to higher quality of care for patients.”

More information about the licence to practise can be found at www.gmc-uk.org