Burchell Whiteman, Leader of Government Business in the Senate, last Friday provided these answers to questions posed by Opposition Senator Shirley Williams.
Will the Minister confirm whether, based on a recent decision of the General Medical Council (GMC) of Great Britain, as of October 2002, the Medical School of the University of the West Indies is no longer accredited by that council.
No. The University of the West Indies has not lost accreditation status. There has been a change in the United Kingdom Medical Act of 1983 to accommodate the reality of the establishment of the European Union. The change in the Act has altered the traditional
relationship which medical practitioners in Commonwealth countries, have enjoyed with the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom.
Will the Minister state whether the implications of that decision will be that the graduates of the medical school will no longer be able to work or proceed directly to post graduate training in the United Kingdom without sitting a written examination?
Yes. Under the new legislation, medical graduates of institutions in Commonwealth countries will be required to pass the 'Professional and Linguistic Assessment Boards' (PLAB) test.
Will the Minister advise as to all other implications of the loss of accreditation?
It must be reiterated that there is no loss of accreditation. The implication of the change in the relationship with the GMC is that it will remove the concept of recognised overseas qualifications contained in the Medical Act of 1983 and introduce a more equitable single form of registration for all overseas qualified doctors (that is all doctors qualified outside the UK and European economic area).
Will the Minister state whether the University of the West Indies has, consequent on the loss of accreditation, proposed to the Eighth Meeting of the Council For Human and Social Development, CARICOM, the establishment of a Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Medical Education and Other Health Professionals?
It must be restated that there is no loss of accreditation. However, a proposal to this body has been made.
Will the Minister advise as to the present status of the proposal and what timetable has been established for its implementation?
Jamaica has signed the agreement for the establishment of the Caribbean Accreditation Body for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professionals. Steps will be taken to put the legislation in place.
