The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7465 p172
18 August 2007

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Regulatory alliance tells minister how European law will put patients at risk

Risks to patients introduced by a new European law allowing health professionals to take short-term work in other countries without being subject to the full rigour of national regulation have been reported to the Department of Health by the Alliance of UK Health Regulators on Europe (PJ, 23 June, p730).

A letter sent by the alliance, which includes the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, earlier this month, says that public protection issues discussed with the current minister’s predecessor in May have not been addressed.

In particular, the alliance is concerned that proposed UK legislation based on the European law will allow foreign health professionals to work in the UK without the same level of indemnity insurance that is required of UK registered staff.

Another concern is that no checks equivalent to Criminal Records Bureau enquiries can be made on the possible criminal record of European professionals seeking temporary registration.

A third concern relates to continuing professional development. The new law will not make temporary European staff subject to UK CPD requirements. Instead, it will rely on the requirements of the country of original registration of workers. This is despite the fact that some health and social care professionals, such as osteopaths and chiropractors, are not regulated at all in some European countries.