The General and Specialist Medical Practice (Education, Training and Qualifications) Order 2003

Decisions on inclusion in the Registers

16.—(1) The Registrar of the GMC shall, within the time specified in paragraph (2), notify a person who has made an application for inclusion in either of the Registers pursuant to article 10(3) or 13(3) that—

(a) his name has been included in that Register; or

(b) his name has not been included in that Register, the reason for that decision, and of the applicant’s right to appeal pursuant to article 23 (where applicable).

(2) Except in relation to cases falling within paragraph (3), the Registrar shall notify an applicant of the matters specified in paragraph (1) within—

(a) the period of three months beginning with the date on which the Registrar of the GMC receives the application with full supporting documentation; or

(b) any period of additional time which is permitted by article 15 of the Directive.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), the cases excepted are those where a person has applied to the GMC for inclusion in either of the Registers and he has previously had to satisfy the Board that he is—

(a) an eligible general practitioner pursuant to article 11(3); or

(b) an eligible specialist pursuant to article 14(4) or (5).

(4) In relation to cases falling within paragraph (3), the Board shall—

(a) upon receiving an application with full supporting documentation, pursuant to article 11(3), or article 14(4) or (5) (as the case may be), deal expeditiously with that application; and

(b) co-operate with the GMC, and the GMC shall co-operate with the Board, to ensure that an applicant who has made an application to the Board pursuant to article 11(3), or article 14(4) or (5) (as the case may be) is able to apply to the GMC for inclusion in either of the Registers pursuant to article 10(3) or 13(3) and obtain a decision from the GMC within the specified time.

(5) In paragraph (4), the specified time means, subject to paragraph (6), the period of three months—

(a) beginning on the date on which the Board receives all the documents enabling it to determine whether the applicant is an eligible general practitioner or an eligible specialist pursuant to article 11(3) or article 14(4) or (5); and

(b) ending with the date on which the Registrar of the GMC gives the applicant notice under paragraph (1).

(6) In calculating the period of three months pursuant to paragraph (5), the following shall be disregarded—

(a) the period—

(i) beginning with the date on which the Board gives the applicant notice under article 11(6) or 14(10) (as the case may be), and

(ii) ending with the date on which the GMC receives all the documents enabling it to determine whether it is satisfied of the applicant’s entitlement to be registered pursuant to article 10(3) or article 13(3) (as the case may be); and

(b) any period of additional time which is permitted by article 15 of the Directive.

(7) For the purposes of complying with its duty pursuant to paragraph (4), the Board may, if it sees fit, provide to the GMC information relating to, or copies of, any applications that have been made to it pursuant to article 11(3), or article 14(4) or (5).