Government proposes licensing system for doctors

Doctors in the United Kingdom will soon be required by law to have a licence to practise, under new proposals from the government.

Health minister John Hutton has issued a consultation document outlining the plans, which will form part of the new revalidation process for all doctors in the country.

“We want to see a more streamlined General Medical Council, with much greater patient and public involvement—one where cases are dealt with more quickly and more transparently, while maintaining accountability to parliament,” he said.

The …