European doctors’ organization expresses concern over systemic failings after journalists revealed that medics banned in one country pick up their careers in another.
European doctors said they are “deeply concerned” about the findings of an OCCRP investigation that identified more than 100 physicians who have lost their medical licenses for serious wrongdoing in one jurisdiction, but are licensed to practice in another.
The Brussels-based Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), which represents national medical associations across the continent, called on the European Union to ensure the proper implementation of an alert mechanism, which is supposed to flag banned doctors to member states.
The Bad Practice investigation — led by OCCRP, Norway’s VG, and the Times of London — found the system was rarely or never used by some countries.
“We call on the EU and the member states to take measures to ensure the alert mechanism is fully and uniformly implemented, with strengthened data exchange between competent authorities across Europe and at national level between responsible bodies,” the CPME said in a statement to OCCRP.
The group said it had deep concerns about the findings of OCCRP’s investigation, adding that fixing the alert system “is vital to uphold the ethical standards of the medical profession and to maintain patient safety and public trust.”
The European Commission’s Internal Market Information (IMI) system is used to notify European authorities in 30 member states of disciplinary actions regarding doctors.
Journalists found that the alert system was barely or never utilized by some European countries. Malta, Greece, Liechtenstein and Estonia have filed zero alerts since requirements to do so came into force in 2016. Ten countries have filed fewer than 10 alerts. Authorities also told reporters that incoming alerts were difficult to access.
CPME has raised concerns about the IMI system in the past, including the differences between the circumstances in which national authorities send alerts.
“The findings underline the urgent need to clarify questions relating to the alert mechanism and ensure its effective and consistent implementation, including clarification of the alert mechanism’s scope of application regarding restrictions on the licence to practice,” the statement said.
“Patient safety and quality of care are the central objectives of professional regulation including in cross-border mobility,” the organization added.
Issues with the IMI system were flagged last year by European Commission auditors who found that recipients were overloaded with IMI alerts, and there was confusion about definitions and standards for reporting warnings.
The European Commission has said it will look for ways to strengthen its alert system in response to the OCCRP investigation.
