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GPs must have five-year ‘MOT’

Sue Carr
28/ 2/2007

HYDE MP James Purnell has welcomed strict new checks for GPs to stop a repeat of Harold Shipman's crimes.

Doctors could face MOT-style tests every five years under new government proposals, made following the fifth inquiry into the serial killer.

Currently GPs don't have to be assessed to make sure they are up-to-date with medical developments and still fit to practice.

The tests are one of 44 recommendations announced last week by the Department of Health, which include making sure death certificates are checked by hospital staff as well as being signed by a doctor.

Mr Purnell welcomed the raft of proposals which would be the biggest overhaul the medical profession has seen in the last 30 years.

He said: "The families of Shipman's victims have always made one thing clear to me - that they wanted lessons to be learned so we could do everything possible to ensure this could never happen again.

"I'm glad the government has published an overall response to the inquiry so families can judge what has been done.

"Nothing can take away the tragedy of what happened but I believe these are important and useful proposals."

Dr Kailash Chand, chairman of the Tameside branch of the British Medical Association, raised concerns. "The vast majority of doctors perform well and safely" he said.

"Proving to patients that doctors are up-to-date and safe to practice is a good thing. The BMA is supportive of doctors being regularly revalidated but is wary of what future requirements might be imposed in order for doctors to get their licence to carry on practising."