Moves are under way, however, to introduce one of the four – an ‘MOT’ assessment for doctors – by 2007.
That would mean the introduction of a five-yearly appraisal making sure they are up to speed with medical developments.
Currently it is possible for GPs to have worked in the Island for more than 35 years without undergoing any additional training since leaving medical school in their 20s.
One of the main conclusions of the inquiries launched following the Shipman murders in Manchester was that doctors should be what is called ‘revalidated’ every five years.
In other words, their work should be checked and assessed to make sure they have operated in a General Medical Council-recommended clinical environment for that period.
All UK doctors now have to work in such a regulated way.
