title: The future of UK/Irish surgery: A European solution.
abstract: The United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland (ROI) hospital systems are dependent on junior doctors for their functionality however it is increasingly difficult to recruit UK/ROI trained doctors to fill these posts. Directive 2005/36/EC, which came into force in 2007, is the principal European legislation on the recognition of equivalence of professional qualifications across Europe. European trained doctors are therefore attractive candidates for junior doctor posts. However, although their training is recognised as equivalent by the Irish Medical Council (IMC) and General Medical Council (GMC) they are not being appointed to equivalent posts by the Health Service Executive (HSE) or National Health Service (NHS). With the influence of European Union (EU) centralisation, modification of UK/ROI consultant grade is imminent, possibly to pyramidal structure of the Continental European model with clearer lines of corporate responsibility.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgery, National University of Ireland, Galway & University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland. Electronic address: manvydas.varzgalis@nuigalway.ie.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Varzgalis
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgery, National University of Ireland, Galway & University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kerin
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgery, National University of Ireland, Galway & University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Sweeney
mesh_terms: D005062:European Union; D005544:Forecasting; D005550:Foreign Medical Graduates / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Consultant; European Union; Specialist; Surgical training; “Chef de Clinique”