Policy responses and statements

Name of organisation:

Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB)

Name of policy document:

PMETB Fees Consultation - Fees relating to Article 14, Certificate of Eligibility to the Specialist Register (CESR) and Article 11, Certificate of Eligibility to the General Practice Register (CEGPR)

Deadline for response:

30 January 2008

Background: This consultation document provides the rationale for the proposed changes to the fees charged by PMETB from 1 April 2008.

The majority of doctors who apply to PMETB do so for a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). The PMETB is proposing that, from 1 April 2008, the fee for a CCT, and for appeals and reviews, should be increased in line with inflation.

For doctors who apply through the equivalence routes, for a Certificate of Eligibility for entry in the Specialist Register (CESR) under Article 14, or a Certificate of Eligibility for entry in the General Practice Register (CEGPR) under Article 11, the PMETB is proposing that the fees should be increased by more than inflation. This arises from an increased understanding, after two full years of operation, of the actual costs incurred by all those involved in the work.

This consultation is limited to the proposed increase in fees for the equivalence routes.

The need to increase fees for the equivalence routes, by more than inflation, is the result of detailed negotiations between PMETB and the medical Royal Colleges and Faculties, who have for some time stated that the price currently paid to them for the equivalence work, does not meet the true costs of that work. PMETB has undertaken detailed work with the Colleges and Faculties to examine their costs. As a result, PMETB has agreed in principle to a significant increase in payments to Colleegs and Faculties for equivalence route applications received from 1st April 2008. This explains the bulk of the proposed increase in fees. It is proposed to increase fees for the equivalence routes from £1,250 to £1,850.

COMMENTS ON
POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING BOARD (PMETB)
PMETB FEES CONSULTATION - FEES RELATING TO ARTICLE 14, CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY TO THE SPECIALIST REGISTER (CESR) AND ARTICLE 11, CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY TO THE GENERAL PRACTICE REGISTER (CEGPR)

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh is pleased to respond to PMETB on PMETB Fees Consultation - Fees relating to Article 14, Certificate of Eligibility to the Specialist Register (CESR) and Article 11, Certificate of Eligibility to the General Practice Register (CEGPR).

The College, in responding to this consultation, notes that negotiations have yet to be concluded with PMETB for the equivalence services under Article 14 of the Medical Act provided through the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB).

The College, as a charity, must recover costs incurred in providing services to external parties. However the College believes that the JRCPTB has the essential specialist expertise to assess the very different evidence provided by doctors seeking specialist registration in the 31 recognised medical specialties and sub specialties. Patient safety and quality of care depend on rigorous regulation procedures and informed assessment. We look forward to continued cooperation with PMETB on this important equivalence service.

Copies of this response are available from:

Lesley Lockhart,
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh,
9 Queen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1JQ.

Tel: 0131 225 7324 ext 608
Fax: 0131 220 3939

[30 January 2008]