English Required?

[mushroom25]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21547513
this isn't very inclusive, is it? After all, translators appear to be two-a-penny when those requiring the service are wrongdoers.

[slaney]

But if new legislation is brought in to close the loophole, so that all EU can be tested - well and good.

[Sqad]

slaney........

\\\"if the competent authority is not convinced that the standard is good enough, they can then impose a language test." (from your link), but any blanket testing of EU doctors before going on the GMC register will not be permitted. \\\

But that was my point.......how many doctors do you think would pass either language or competency?........very few would be my opinion and accepting this, then how would these NHS posts be filled and how would the GP,s who have got a "damn good deal" arrange off duty cover?

The status quo will remain, i fear, as not to upset the contented "applecart."

[slaney]

Sqad, had a quick look and ...
"Last year, (2011) 4,068 doctors sat PLAB 1 with a 35 per cent pass rate, and 2,637 sat PLAB 2 with 70 per cent passing and becoming eligible to apply for UK medical registration." So not a very high pass rate - only those who pass PLAB 1 go on to PLAB 2.
But I don't think the numbers of EU doctors will fall all that much; we shall see.

In any case these days all consultants and GP undergo a yearly MOT without too much difficulty.

[Peter Pedant]

The General Medical Council had PLAB - professional linguistics assessment board which came in later than sqad's time.

However language exams were used as a trade protection device and were held v early on to be in breach of free movement of trade and or workers. that is against the Treaty of Rome



If Ubani had a German degree then he would be allowed to practise in this counry provided he found an employer which he clearly did

So the employer used to do the language testing


Sqad is correct. In 1975 60% of junior hospital doctors were commonwealth graduates and were allowed to practise without further testing besides the degree from (the old Empire) universities

Most of the British graduates were running the American and Canadian hospitals


The language testing now is for EU graduates - the others and there are now very few were tested anyway.

[slaney]

Thanks Peter P - I had been trawling my way through EU legislation to find out why exactly blanket language testing was against EU law - that sounds about right.

[Sqad]

Peter....nice to see a well thought out answer, mainly anecdotal but accurate without the obligatory links that seem to be part and parcel of modern communications.

I have nothing against " links" as such, but it annoys me that so many times anecdotal evidence is either discarded or felt to be below consideration.

[237SJ]

I agree Sqad. One posts an answer from their own head or their own experience and it`s ignored in favour of a link. The googler is then praised as a fountain of all knowledge! I`m not necessarily referring to anyone on this thread BTW - just a general comment.

[Sqad]

237SJ....so often it is the same link that they have "stored away" to support their argument for them.

237SJ we should accept that our day ( well mine anyway) has passed and either " pack in" or learn the new language.

I am too " bolshy" and opinionated to " pack in" yet...........;-)

[EDDIE51]

Actually a very common cause of a trial being delayed or cancelled is lack of translators. It is something like the 2nd / 3rd most common reason for a delay in a trial. There is a particular shortage of Arabic translators apparently .A top level Arabic translator can get £250 an hour ! wish I knew more than the 100 words or so I can manage.