We have no plans to make such representations. As an independent regulator, the General Dental Council (GDC) assesses the skills, knowledge and experience of healthcare professionals who have qualified outside of the United Kingdom, to ensure that UK standards of practice are met.

The Department recently consulted on legislative changes which will provide the GDC with greater flexibility to establish alternative routes to registration for international applicants. Officials are currently analysing the responses received to the consultation and we plan to publish the Government’s response later this year.

The Department has no plans to make such representations. Healthcare regulators retain the autonomy to set, maintain and assess international qualifications against United Kingdom standards.

Refugees with medical qualifications wishing to practise medicine in the United Kingdom must be registered by the General Medical Council (GMC). The Medical Support Workers (MSW) programme is designed for medically qualified doctors resident in the UK who do not have a current registration with the GMC. The MSW post offers an opportunity to use clinical skills in a supervised placement and gain experience working in the National Health Service. The MSW has been used to support for doctors from a refugee and displaced background.

On 22 February 2022, the General Dental Council (GDC) announced the full resumption of the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) following its suspension in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The GDC has published its 2022 sittings schedule for both components of the exam.

The capacity of the ORE is constrained by rules within the GDC’s legislative framework. The Department has consulted on proposals to amend this legislation to allow the GDC greater flexibility on alternative routes to registration for international applicants. The consultation closed on 6 May 2022 and the responses are currently being analysed. Subject to the outcome of the consultation and Parliamentary approval, we aim to introduce the legislative changes in autumn 2022. As an independent regulator, the GDC will determine how this increased flexibility could be applied, including the appropriate way to assess overseas qualifications.

Automatic recognition arrangements are in place for relevant dental qualifications obtained in the European Economic Area and Switzerland for a period of 24 months from the end of the transition period or 48 months for Swiss qualifications. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is required to undertake a statutory review of these arrangements after the 24-month period. This review will be conducted at the start of 2023. However, automatic recognition of qualifications will continue until further legislation is introduced to amend or end these arrangements.

On 22 February 2022, the General Dental Council (GDC) announced the full resumption of the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) following its suspension in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The GDC has published its 2022 sittings schedule for both components of the exam.

The capacity of the ORE is constrained by rules within the GDC’s legislative framework. The Department has consulted on proposals to amend this legislation to allow the GDC greater flexibility on alternative routes to registration for international applicants. The consultation closed on 6 May 2022 and the responses are currently being analysed. Subject to the outcome of the consultation and Parliamentary approval, we aim to introduce the legislative changes in autumn 2022. As an independent regulator, the GDC will determine how this increased flexibility could be applied, including the appropriate way to assess overseas qualifications.

Automatic recognition arrangements are in place for relevant dental qualifications obtained in the European Economic Area and Switzerland for a period of 24 months from the end of the transition period or 48 months for Swiss qualifications. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is required to undertake a statutory review of these arrangements after the 24-month period. This review will be conducted at the start of 2023. However, automatic recognition of qualifications will continue until further legislation is introduced to amend or end these arrangements.

On 22 February 2022, the General Dental Council (GDC) announced the full resumption of the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) following its suspension in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The GDC has published its 2022 sittings schedule for both components of the exam.

The capacity of the ORE is constrained by rules within the GDC’s legislative framework. The Department has consulted on proposals to amend this legislation to allow the GDC greater flexibility on alternative routes to registration for international applicants. The consultation closed on 6 May 2022 and the responses are currently being analysed. Subject to the outcome of the consultation and Parliamentary approval, we aim to introduce the legislative changes in autumn 2022. As an independent regulator, the GDC will determine how this increased flexibility could be applied, including the appropriate way to assess overseas qualifications.

Automatic recognition arrangements are in place for relevant dental qualifications obtained in the European Economic Area and Switzerland for a period of 24 months from the end of the transition period or 48 months for Swiss qualifications. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is required to undertake a statutory review of these arrangements after the 24-month period. This review will be conducted at the start of 2023. However, automatic recognition of qualifications will continue until further legislation is introduced to amend or end these arrangements.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 22 March 2022 to Questions 139498 and 139499.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 22 March 2022 to Questions 139498 and 139499.

On 22 February 2022, the General Dental Council (GDC) announced the full resumption of the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) and published its sittings schedule for both parts of the exam for 2022.

The capacity of the ORE is constrained by rules within the GDC’s legislative framework. The Department is currently consulting on proposals to amend the GDC’s legislation to allow it greater flexibility to put in place alternative routes to registration for international applicants. The consultation closes on 6 May 2022. Subject to the outcome of the consultation and Parliamentary approval, we aim to introduce the legislative changes in autumn 2022. It will be for the GDC, as an independent regulator, to decide how to use the flexibility which these proposals allow, including the appropriate way to assess overseas qualifications.

Automatic recognition arrangements are in place for relevant dental qualifications obtained in the European Economic Area and Switzerland for a period of 24 months from the end of the transition period or 48 months for Swiss qualifications. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is required to carry out a statutory review of these arrangements after the 24-month period. This review will be conducted at the start of 2023. However, automatic recognition of qualifications will continue until further legislation is introduced to amend or end these arrangements.

On 22 February 2022, the General Dental Council (GDC) announced the full resumption of the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) and published its sittings schedule for both parts of the exam for 2022.

The capacity of the ORE is constrained by rules within the GDC’s legislative framework. The Department is currently consulting on proposals to amend the GDC’s legislation to allow it greater flexibility to put in place alternative routes to registration for international applicants. The consultation closes on 6 May 2022. Subject to the outcome of the consultation and Parliamentary approval, we aim to introduce the legislative changes in autumn 2022. It will be for the GDC, as an independent regulator, to decide how to use the flexibility which these proposals allow, including the appropriate way to assess overseas qualifications.

Automatic recognition arrangements are in place for relevant dental qualifications obtained in the European Economic Area and Switzerland for a period of 24 months from the end of the transition period or 48 months for Swiss qualifications. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is required to carry out a statutory review of these arrangements after the 24-month period. This review will be conducted at the start of 2023. However, automatic recognition of qualifications will continue until further legislation is introduced to amend or end these arrangements.

To register with the General Medical Council (GMC), doctors who have qualified outside of the United Kingdom, the European Economic Area or Switzerland must pass the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test to demonstrate they have the right knowledge and skills to practise medicine. PLAB tests are available to candidates irrespective of when they graduate provided they have an acceptable primary medical qualification and meet the GMC’s English language requirements.

The GMC makes PLAB spaces available to all candidates on a first come first served basis, rather than operating a waiting list, aside from a small number of places reserved for those with exceptional circumstances. Applications for these places are considered by the GMC on a case-by-case basis and if they are not filled, are made available to all candidates applying in the usual way. The eligibility criteria for the Foundation Programme are separate and a matter for the UK Foundation Programme Office.

The GMC is independent of Government and is responsible for operational matters, including those relating to the PLAB tests. Therefore, the Department has not undertaken an assessment of the levels of demand for PLAB tests. However, the Government works closely with the GMC and recognises the extremely high level of demand for PLAB 1 places. The GMC has invested in new facilities and additional resources to double the number of PLAB exams it can offer. The GMC plans to release more seats later in spring at UK and overseas venues. There are currently PLAB 2 places available later in 2022.

To register with the General Medical Council (GMC), doctors who have qualified outside of the United Kingdom, the European Economic Area or Switzerland must pass the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test to demonstrate they have the right knowledge and skills to practise medicine. PLAB tests are available to candidates irrespective of when they graduate provided they have an acceptable primary medical qualification and meet the GMC’s English language requirements.

The GMC makes PLAB spaces available to all candidates on a first come first served basis, rather than operating a waiting list, aside from a small number of places reserved for those with exceptional circumstances. Applications for these places are considered by the GMC on a case-by-case basis and if they are not filled, are made available to all candidates applying in the usual way. The eligibility criteria for the Foundation Programme are separate and a matter for the UK Foundation Programme Office.

The GMC is independent of Government and is responsible for operational matters, including those relating to the PLAB tests. Therefore, the Department has not undertaken an assessment of the levels of demand for PLAB tests. However, the Government works closely with the GMC and recognises the extremely high level of demand for PLAB 1 places. The GMC has invested in new facilities and additional resources to double the number of PLAB exams it can offer. The GMC plans to release more seats later in spring at UK and overseas venues. There are currently PLAB 2 places available later in 2022.

To register with the General Medical Council (GMC), doctors who have qualified outside of the United Kingdom, the European Economic Area or Switzerland must pass the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test to demonstrate they have the right knowledge and skills to practise medicine. PLAB tests are available to candidates irrespective of when they graduate provided they have an acceptable primary medical qualification and meet the GMC’s English language requirements.

The GMC makes PLAB spaces available to all candidates on a first come first served basis, rather than operating a waiting list, aside from a small number of places reserved for those with exceptional circumstances. Applications for these places are considered by the GMC on a case-by-case basis and if they are not filled, are made available to all candidates applying in the usual way. The eligibility criteria for the Foundation Programme are separate and a matter for the UK Foundation Programme Office.

The GMC is independent of Government and is responsible for operational matters, including those relating to the PLAB tests. Therefore, the Department has not undertaken an assessment of the levels of demand for PLAB tests. However, the Government works closely with the GMC and recognises the extremely high level of demand for PLAB 1 places. The GMC has invested in new facilities and additional resources to double the number of PLAB exams it can offer. The GMC plans to release more seats later in spring at UK and overseas venues. There are currently PLAB 2 places available later in 2022.

The Dentists Act 1984 requires overseas applicants to the General Dental Council’s (GDC) register to undertake its Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) to confirm they have the requisite skills and knowledge to practise dentistry in the United Kingdom.

In April 2020, the GDC suspended Parts 1 and 2 of the ORE due to the restrictions in place to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. On 2 December 2021, the GDC announced a planned sitting of the Part 2 exam in January 2022.

The legislation restricts the GDC from offering Part 2 ORE places to candidates where five or more years have passed since they first attempted Part 1 of the exam. Therefore, the GDC has not been able to offer places on the January 2022 exam sitting to any candidates whose five-year period has expired. Officials have worked with the GDC to develop proposals which will provide these candidates with additional time to take the Part 2 assessment in the future. We plan to consult on this proposed legislative change in early 2022.

The General Medical Council (GMC) is the independent regulator of medical doctors in the United Kingdom. All doctors must register with the GMC, hold a license to practise and meet set professional standards to work in the UK and be fit to practise. The GMC sets the standards that medical training organisations have to meet in the delivery of their training, and in the development of postgraduate curricula.

Qualified doctors do not need specific qualifications to perform cosmetic interventions (surgery) including hair transplant surgery.