Health officials stress importance of foreign

In the wake of the terrorist attacks at the weekend, health officials have moved to reassure the public that checks carried out on foreign doctors working in the UK are rigorous enough.

Security forces revealed that they were investigating a number of medics from the Middle East and India over a bomb plot, but health authorities insist that foreign doctors have a vital part to play in the NHS.

In a bid to reassure Britons about the safety of the national health service, new prime minister, Gordon Brown, has announced that more stringent background checks will be carried out on all foreign medics applying for a visa to work in Britain.

Almost 40 per cent of doctors now registered in Britain were trained overseas and all medics applying to work in the UK are currently tested by the General Medical Council (GMC) for medical qualifications, linguistic and professional competence.

Suspects being quizzed by police over failed car bomb attacks in London and a further attack at Glasgow Airport are linked to the medical profession, causing widespread concern about background checks on applicant doctors through the UK's Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.

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Date:05/07/2007 11:30:32