Belgian doctor wins fight for training certificate

A Belgian doctor who came to Britain for postgraduate training has won his campaign to receive a certificate of specialist training, which will enable him to work in other European Union countries. Dr Jeff Hoeyberghs was supported by the BMA and the European Commission but was unemployed for nearly 18 months.

Dr Hoeyberghs qualified in Belgium in 1986 and came to Britain to obtain a certificate of specialist training in plastic surgery, intending to return to Belgium to practise as a specialist. He sought the advice of all the appropriate bodies—the General Medical Council (GMC), the Joint Committee on Higher Specialist Training, and the British Association of Plastic Surgeons—before embarking …