Doctors: free movement and mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and others formal qualifications

OBJECTIVE : to introduce adequate procedures for the implementation of the provisions of Directive 93/16/EEC on the free movement of doctors. COMMUNITY MEASURE : European Parliament and Council Directive 97/50/EC amending Directive 93/16/EEC which seeks to facilitate the free movement of doctors and the mutual recognition of their diplomas, certificates and other qualifications. CONTENT : In view of the frequent changes affecting the training and appointment of medical specialisations in the different Member States, Directive 93/16/EEC on the free movement of doctors requires alignment on a regular basis. The present Directive mainly seeks to give the European Commission implementing powers for the regular updating of the Directive in question. The amendments apply to: -medical specialisations recognised by a minimum of 2 Member States (in order to include them in the appropriate lists of designations); -the minimum lengths of training corresponding to the newly introduced specialisations. To help it in this task, the Commission will be assisted by the high-level committee on public health set up by Decision 75/365/EEC, which is to act as an advisory committee or as a management committee according to the subject matter in question. At the same time it is proposed that the consultative committee for the training of doctors will present appropriate opinions and recommendations within the framework of the Directive and that the question of nationals of Member States who hold diplomas awarded by third countries will be examined under the general system of recognition of diplomas. ENTRY INTO FORCE OF THE DIRECTIVE : 25/10/1997. �