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Scots doctors attack 'MOT' plans Scots doctors attack 'MOT' plans
(10 minutes later)
Leading Scots doctors have said plans to regulate GPs would "take away from patient care".Leading Scots doctors have said plans to regulate GPs would "take away from patient care".
The UK government wants new safeguards alongside its response to the inquiry into the serial killer Harold Shipman.The UK government wants new safeguards alongside its response to the inquiry into the serial killer Harold Shipman.
Dr Lewis Morrison of the British Medical Association's Scottish Council said the plans were too time intensive.Dr Lewis Morrison of the British Medical Association's Scottish Council said the plans were too time intensive.
Scotland's chief medical officer has also criticised the plans suggesting doctors undergo regular 'MOTs' to ensure their fitness to practise. Scotland's chief medical officer had earlier criticised the plans suggesting doctors undergo regular 'MOTs' to ensure their fitness to practise.
The UK government is acting after Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson made the case for reform last year.The UK government is acting after Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson made the case for reform last year.
Ministers are expected to accept his call for doctors to face MOT-style tests while stricter checking of death certificates will also be put forward.Ministers are expected to accept his call for doctors to face MOT-style tests while stricter checking of death certificates will also be put forward.
Regular checksRegular checks
Sir Liam's review of medical regulation followed the inquiry into Shipman criticised the way doctors were regulated.Sir Liam's review of medical regulation followed the inquiry into Shipman criticised the way doctors were regulated.
Shipman, from Hyde in Greater Manchester, murdered more than 200 people over a period of 23 years.Shipman, from Hyde in Greater Manchester, murdered more than 200 people over a period of 23 years.
The review was highly critical of regulatory body the General Medical Council (GMC) practices and the broader arrangements for medical safeguards. But during consultation, Scotland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Harry Burns warned that the proposals were "unworkable" and warned they would place yet another strain on the health service if imposed north of the border.
The department of health in London controls the regulation of doctors but Scotland's chief medical officer Dr Harry Burns, in response to a consultation, said the plans would be "complex, costly and difficult to implement" north of the border. Sir Liam's review was highly critical of regulatory body the General Medical Council (GMC) practices and the broader arrangements for medical safeguards.
The department of health in London controls the regulation of doctors but Dr Burns said the plans would be "complex, costly and difficult to implement" in Scotland.
Formal reassessmentFormal reassessment
Dr Lewis Morrison, of the British Medical Association's Scottish Council, said: "The idea of regular checks is not a new one.Dr Lewis Morrison, of the British Medical Association's Scottish Council, said: "The idea of regular checks is not a new one.
"Some of the things go way beyond that however and are very time intensive."Some of the things go way beyond that however and are very time intensive.
"The idea that doctors sit an exam every five years, over and above the self appraisal that we do, will clearly take away from patient care.""The idea that doctors sit an exam every five years, over and above the self appraisal that we do, will clearly take away from patient care."
The MOT-style checks, or revalidation as it is also called, will be carried out every five years, ending the situation where once doctors qualify as GPs or consultants they no longer face formal reassessment.The MOT-style checks, or revalidation as it is also called, will be carried out every five years, ending the situation where once doctors qualify as GPs or consultants they no longer face formal reassessment.
Death certificates will also need to be signed off by someone appointed by the local NHS trust as well as the relevant doctor. However, the Scottish Executive confirmed that any changes to death certification procedures will not automatically apply in Scotland.
In England and Wales, death certificates will need to be signed off by someone appointed by the local NHS trust as well as the relevant doctor.
In Scotland it is the responsibilty of the procurator fiscal service.
The government's white paper, Trust, Assurance and Safety: The Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century, will also deal with other recommendations raised by Sir Liam.The government's white paper, Trust, Assurance and Safety: The Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century, will also deal with other recommendations raised by Sir Liam.