The Association of General Practitioners has called for the resignation of Prof Gerard Bury as president of the Medical Council in response to the manpower problems facing the medical profession from July 1st.
Prof Bury yesterday defended the council's role in ensuring accountability of doctors and the adequate supervision of medical trainees.
He referred to the implementation of the Temporary Registration Assessment Scheme (TRAS) for non-EU doctors as far back as 1996 and pointed out that the real impact of these changes would be felt from 2001 onwards.
While acknowledging that there are manpower implications arising from the initiative, he suggested that other factors have contributed to the present shortage of junior doctors within the system.
The Medical Council yesterday outlined its policy on temporary registration, which says that applicants for temporary registration must demonstrate their competence to work safely.
Hospital posts recognised for temporary registration must hold training accreditation since last year. The document states "the possible implications of this policy have been detailed to the Medical Manpower Forum".
However, the council is considering other structures to implement this policy more effectively, including the recognition of equivalent assessments to the TRAS from other countries.