Over the last two years, doctors and others have asked many questions about what Brexit means for those already working here, and for those who may want to do so in the future.
This week, the UK government has confirmed that professionals with a qualification from the European Economic Area (EEA) will continue to have their qualifications recognised in the event of a no deal Brexit. Our Public Affairs Manager, Nicola While, explains what this means for doctors.
UK politics certainly hasn’t been quiet for the past few months. While we continue to await confirmation of a deal, a delay to Brexit or a no deal, we hope EEA qualified doctors will be reassured that they’ll still be able to join the UK register and practise here, regardless of the scenario we face.
Following parliamentary approval of regulations to apply in the event of ‘no deal’, the UK government has now confirmed that EEA doctors already in the UK can continue to practise here, as they do now. And anyone holding a relevant European qualification* who wants to join the register, will be able to continue to register with us in a timely and streamlined way.
Over the past 12 months, we have been working closely with the four UK health departments to bring about this legislation. Our focus has been on doing all we can to ensure a continuing healthy supply of doctors from the EEA, to help maintain a sustainable medical workforce in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
A vital part of the medical workforce
We know that the uncertainty over the past months will have been frustrating and worrying.
Approximately 2,000 EEA qualified doctors come to the UK each year and contribute to the NHS. They are a vital part of our medical workforce; and along with doctors from other parts of the world, they make a huge and valuable contribution to our healthcare systems, and in delivering high quality patient care.
Whatever type of Brexit is agreed, it is essential that doctors from the EEA are not deterred from practising here.
Keeping you up to date
While we can confirm that EEA qualified doctors will still be able to register with us in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, we still don’t know what the terms of the UK leaving the EU will be.
The changes we’ll need to make to the current registration process ultimately depend on the ongoing negotiations between the UK government and the European Union. For example, if there is a deal there would be virtually no change to how we register doctors for the duration of the transition period.
However, whatever happens with Brexit, our fundamental role and responsibilities won’t change. We’ll continue to help protect patients and improve UK medical education and practice across the four countries of the UK.
We’ll also continue to provide as much information as we can. We’ve already published a set of Q&As about Brexit and what this means for doctors, which we’ll continue to update as the situation becomes clearer.
*Qualifications listed under Annex V of the Recognition of Professional Qualifications directive.
Improving medical education and practice across the UK 
I am EUA citizen at now workings in UK as locum doctor I am learning principles of orthopedic management her learning advance methods of orthopedic mangement as EU citizen is quite advantageous to but I I am seriously thinking now can continue to get same advantage when uk out of EUROPEAN union ?
With or without Brexit, all doctors wishing to work in UK should be/should have their professional competency vetted before being allowed to do so. Non-EU doctors take the PLAB test, so why not those from the EU? GMC has been negligent in not having challenged the EU directive in the interest of Patient Safety on which it spends a lot time going on and on about how they are passionate and taking steps to achieve. First of all ensure you have a competent workforce in the interest of Patient Safety.
Dear GMC good to see you giving regular update and good to see GMC doing a good job. Sadly doctors and nurses work in a Culture of bullying. Sadly bullying is common in NHS and in the society. When staff are bullied they do not speakup. EU doctors and Non-EU doctors come form different Culture. They need lot of help, support, Induction, training and ongoing support to settle in UK. When bullied they need support to speakup. Someone must listen. This doesn’t happen in many Trusts.
NHS is not good at caring for its staff. Then there is Culture of #bullying, racism, discrimination and so on.
We must recruit only high calibre doctors who have high Chance of settling well. Prepare them before they come to UK, provide good induction, train them well and care for them and look after them well, give early feedback when they do not perform well and we must listen to them
Happy staff – happy patients. In 80% of Trusts BME staff are unhappy. Unhappy staff – unhappy patients.
NHS is a great Institution but sadly there is Culture of bullying, racism, victimisation and harassment. In such a Culture patients suffer, staff suffer and no one speaks up.
Also overseas trained doctors are 6 times more likely to be referred to GMC and GMC investigation takes very long time and many suffer psychological trauma, distress.
If we support staff, train them well, care for them and provide kind caring compassionate Learning Culture and supportive Culture most staff will settle well and Provide great care
Rumours are being spread of changes to this, the GMC will now I. The next two years before UKMLA implement the PLAB is this true?
Hi Shazma – thanks for your query. You can find our latest updates regarding Brexit and information for doctors here. https://www.gmc-uk.org/news/news-archive/brexit—information-for-doctors
For advice specific to your situation we’d encourage you to speak with one of our applications advisers who will be able to provide more information for you. You can speak with an adviser via the details here. https://www.gmc-uk.org/contact-us