The Vocational Training for General Medical Practice (European Requirements) Regulations 1994

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations arise out of Title IV of Council Directive 93/16/EEC of 5 April 1993 to facilitate the free movement of doctors and the mutual recognition of their diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications (which is referred to in these Regulations as the “Medical Directive”). The Medical Directive consolidated earlier Directives. Title IV is about vocational training for doctors providing general medical services in the national social security schemes of the member States, and comes fully into effect on 1st January 1995.

Part II of these Regulations extends to the whole of the United Kingdom. Regulation 3 appoints the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice as the competent authority for most purposes of Title IV of the Medical Directive, and the General Medical Council for the remainder. Regulation 4 sets out what vocational training certificates awarded in the United Kingdom count for the purposes of Article 30 of the Medical Directive as certificates which satisfy the requirements of the Medical Directive. Regulation 5 sets out the doctors who have an acquired right to provide general medical services in the United Kingdom after 31st December 1994, and provides for the issue of an acquired rights certificate to them on request.

The remainder of these Regulations extend to England and Wales or to Scotland only, or to both.

Part III makes amendments giving effect to the Medical Directive in the National Health Service (Vocational Training) Regulations 1979 (which govern vocational training for NHS general practice in England and Wales) and the National Health Service (Vocational Training) (Scotland) Regulations 1980 (which are the corresponding regulations for Scotland).

Part IV makes amendments giving effect to the Medical Directive in the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992 (which govern NHS general medical services in England and Wales) and in the National Health Service (General Medical and Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1974 (which are the corresponding regulations for Scotland).

The Schedule to these Regulations sets out certain provisions of Title IV of the Medical Directive as they had effect on the date these Regulations were made.