Foreign GPs 'must prove competence'

Overseas doctors will have to prove their competence of the English language, a review into the out-of-hours GP system is to say.

It is also expected to say they will need more training and better quality control, and will be expected to show clinical skills and knowledge needed for the NHS.

The review is also expected to highlight bad contract management and a lack of systems to monitor GPs and private companies' performances. Inadequate integration with the rest of the urgent care system, such as with A&E, will also be highlighted by the study.

The Government will accept all 24 recommendations in the review it ordered and tell primary care trusts (PCTs) to implement them urgently. It will tell PCTs they must notify the General Medical Council if they refuse to admit a GP to their list of approved workers so another PCT will not hire the same doctor. It will also say some PCTs are not meeting legal obligations over safe care.

The study was led by David Colin-Thome, clinical director for primary care at the Department of Health, and Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of GPs.

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