Trudy Simpson, Staff Reporter
MCCARTNEY
THE MEDICAL Council of Jamaica warned yesterday that it would be taking tough steps against doctors and other medical personnel who were practising without valid certification.
These steps include publishing the names of guilty practitioners six weeks from now.
In a newspaper adver-tisement signed by the council's chairman, Dr. Trevor McCartney, the council said all medical practitioners in Jamaica should have a prominently-displayed practising certificate and that it was concerned about the number of practitioners who did not have valid certificates.
The Medical Council issues these certificates in January each year on payment of required fees.
The council warned that practitioners could expect no fee waivers and that they must show they have had at least 10 hours of continuing medical education to receive the practising certificate.
PENALTY FEES
"Sanctions for late or non-payment of practising certificate fees are addressed in regulations, including penalty fees, and can lead ultimately to withdrawal and of registration to practise," the council's advertisement said.
In November 2004, Dr. McCartney explained that continuing medical education was important "to ensure that our doctors keep abreast of developments in medicine."
The Medical Council mediates the relationship between patients and doctors and maintains standards of discipline, ethics and practice in the profession. It also accepts written complaints from the public about doctors in writing.
