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Recruiters have vital role to play in placement of overseas locum doctors

The REC has responded to the Common Health Select Committee’s report published today on ‘the use of overseas doctors in providing out-of-hours services’. 

Its publication follows the incident involving German doctor Daniel Ubani who gave a 70 year old patient, David Gray, a fatal overdose. 

Commenting on its findings, Tom Hadley, the REC’s Director of External Relations, said:

 “There is a legitimate debate to be had on the legal interpretation of EU rules which currently constrain the GMC’s ability to take language skills into account when registering doctors from other European countries. 

“However we must not lose sight of the fact that there will always be a need for an effective assessment process to take place at a Trust level and for other vetting procedures to take place with regards to CRBs, references and ID checks.” 

Tom Hadley, who appeared on BBC Radio Five Live this morning to discuss the report, added:

 “Trusts will come under increasing scrutiny following this tragic case and today’s report. The REC Medical Group will continue to emphasise the positive role that specialised locum agencies already play in ensuring that all doctors have the necessary credentials and properly vetted.” 

The need to maintain quality and safety in recruitment procedures is one of the key themes of the REC’s public sector resourcing campaign, Make It Work! For more details, visit the website, www.rec.uk.com/resourcing.