24 May 2002
A Department of Health consultation document issued this week said the medical regulator would issue licences to doctors every five years if they provided evidence that they were up to date and their work was of a high standard.
It will be a criminal offence to practise without a valid licence.
The GMC's disciplinary procedures would be accelerated, while – in an attempt to increase public confidence in medical regulation – lay members would make up 40% of its central council, instead of 25% at present.
British Medical Association council chair Ian Bogle said he supported revalidation – the regular scrutiny and renewal of a doctor's licence to practise.
'We will continue to work closely with the GMC to develop a system that is rigorous but does not duplicate other checks on doctors' performance and does not take too much time away from patient care,' he added.
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