Doctors’ registration and regulation consultation

09 January 2014

A consultation is underway to inform doctors working in Jersey about new arrangements for local registration and regulation together with a proposed governance framework for Primary Care. 

All doctors employed by Health and Social Services and GPs approved under the Health Insurance Scheme will be sent copies of the consultation documents. Alternatively, the documents can be downloaded below.

The consultation informs doctors about how they will be registered locally and the framework for making recommendations to the General Medical Council (GMC) to allow them to revalidate.

In July 2011, the States Assembly approved amendments to the Medical Practitioners Registration Law so that all doctors practising in Jersey could continue to be licensed with the GMC in the UK. This measure aims to ensure local doctors continue to meet current standards, assuring the public that doctors are up-to-date and fit to practise. 

The amendment to the law also covers the way doctors are registered in Jersey, including the transfer of responsibility for registration from the Royal Court to the Minister for Health and Social Services. The Minister has a duty to ensure the local register remains up-to-date and only includes doctors who are licensed to practise with the GMC. The regulatory framework will cover all doctors working in the Island, including those working in private practice and those visiting from the UK.

The States Assembly also approved amendments to the Health Insurance Law in October 2011, enabling the Minister for Health and Social Services to further develop clinical governance and complaints procedures in primary care. This was in response to GMC requirements for an enhanced regulatory framework for GPs, enabling them to retain their licence to practise through revalidation. 

The amendment to the Health Insurance Law sets out the need for a Performers List for GPs in order to strengthen local governance, enabling poor performance in individual doctors to be monitored and providing assurance regarding the quality and safety of GPs in Jersey. 

Briefing sessions for doctors

Doctors, including those who are not currently employed and who wish to know more about the proposed changes, are welcome to attend briefing sessions.

These sessions will be held in the Halliwell Lecture Theatre at Jersey General Hospital on the following dates:

• Wednesday 22 January, 6- 7pm
• Tuesday 4 February, 1- 2pm

GP drop in sessions

There will also be drop-in sessions, designed particularly for GPs, at Maison Le Pape, The Parade, St Helier, on the following dates:

• Tuesday 14 January, 1.30- 6pm
• Wednesday 15 January, 8.30am- 12.30pm

If you require any further information contact Susan Corbel, PA to Medical Officer of Health.