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Written question asked by John Hayes (Conservative) on Friday, 10 October 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 October 2025. It was answered by Karin Smyth (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 October 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Doctors: Migrant Workers

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many NHS doctors banned from practising overseas have been found to be working in UK hospitals in each of the last ten years.

Answer

Neither the Department nor NHS England hold this information centrally.

The General Medical Council (GMC) is the regulator of all medical doctors, physician assistants, and physician assistants in anaesthesia, still legally known as anaesthesia associates and physician associates, practising in the United Kingdom. This includes those who have trained or worked overseas, and involves ensuring that they meet the necessary standards, skills, and knowledge to join its UK registers. The GMC is independent of the Government, being directly accountable to Parliament, and is responsible for operational matters concerning the discharge of its statutory duties. The GMC seeks and routinely receives information from overseas regulators when doctors who have been working in other countries apply to register with it. My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has been clear that patient safety is paramount, and that any failings of the regulatory system must be addressed.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
77992
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Doctors Migrant workers Vetting
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk