I’m sure “ Mrs Joebloggs “ will pass her exam and send my best wishes – on behalf of all members !


She’s one of a tiny minority of Filipino doctors in the UK. More than a third of doctors registered with the General Medical Council ( GMC ) qualified outside the UK – about 10% from India, followed by Pakistan ( 3% ). This ethnic diversity doesn’t closely reflect that of the UK population. For various reasons all doctors required by the UK health service cannot first be trained here as students.


At present non-EU nationals are required to have minimum score 7 in International English Language Test System ( IELTS ).


They do also need to pass the Professional and Linguistics Assessments Board ( PLAB ) exams. Part 1 is a computer-marked written examination testing knowledge and skills to the same level as UK-trained doctors. Part 2 is a clinical examination assessing practical and communication skills.


To become a General Practitioner ( GP ) requires membership of the Royal College of GP’s – involving applied knowledge test, clinical skills and workplace-based assessments.


It’s true that foreign doctors are more likely to fail these exams – just as a higher proportion of doctors who are disciplined come from overseas. Communication problems and cultural differences are thought to be more important than differences in clinical training.


The General Medical Council – and medical colleges – recognize the need for reforms. These include a new induction programme, review of PLAB, language tests for EU doctors, and a new system of checks ( “ revalidation “ ) for ALL doctors.


The ideal goal is for doctors to reach a uniform standard, and to “ eliminate rogue doctors “. This may never be 100% achievable , but surely good communication underpins good medical practice.


Without such skills no doctor should be allowed to continue working – regardless of ethnicity.


To me there should be no limit to the number of times an exam may be taken – provided it is marked fairly and consistently and proves the required standard of clinical care has been reached. “ Revalidation “ is an attempt to prove that those standards are maintained for the rest of the doctor’s professional life.