Written question asked by John Baron (Conservative) on Wednesday, 26 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 December 2003. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Monday, 15 December 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if it has been determined whether health professionals from (a) Hungary, (b) Slovakia and (c) Poland have the necessary qualifications to practise in this country after these countries join the European Union; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it has been determined whether health professionals from (a) Hungary, (b) Slovakia and (c) Poland have the necessary qualifications to practise in this country after these countries join the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [140634] Mr. Hutton: All acceding states are committed to ensuring that the qualifications they award to doctors, dentists, pharmacists, midwives and nurses responsible for general care who begin their training on or after the date of accession meet specified minimum requirements. Only those who meet these requirements will then benefit from automatic recognition throughout the European Union. Practitioners from these states who are already qualified or who are currently in training must show that they either meet these requirements in full or have recent and substantial practice experience.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 140634; 415 c764W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: EU enlargement Health professions Hungary Qualifications Poland Slovakia Eastern Europe
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk