Changes in the law today (25 June 2014) which give the General Medical Council new powers to check the English language skills of licenced doctors have been welcomed by employers.
Dean Royles, chief executive of the NHS Employers organisation, said:
"Effective English language skills and broader communication ability are essential to giving quality care in the NHS.
“Employers take measures to assure themselves about the ability of staff to communicate and Responsible Officers have a duty to ensure it happens. The new law will help make processes more efficient, especially in some cases where complexity or uncertainty has been a challenge, and should reassure patients that good standards are in place.
"Health and care professionals from other countries have made an invaluable contribution to the NHS over many decades and it is important to recognise this, and to support them in their roles.”
