Digidentity is providing a digital identity service to the General Medical Council (GMC) to verify the identity of doctors working in the UK.
The partnership will provide digital identity verification for all doctors in accordance with Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) standards for identity assurance.
“It will offer speed, convenience, and security, transforming the registration process for both doctors and GMC staff,” said the company.
All UK registered doctors have their identity checked by the GMC before joining the medical register. An app will allow doctors to have their identity verified digitally rather than in person at a GMC office.
“Our service will enable GMC to comply with their statutory obligations to reduce the risk of ID theft and fraud, and to maintain the rigour of the doctor’s registration process. For doctors it will make the process faster and more convenient; simplifying the process and eliminating the need to travel’, says Digidentity’s UK country manager, Jonathan Evans.
The service, which is part of a programme of modernisation within the GMC, went live in April. It will be the primary option for all doctors wanting to practice in the UK. It will also be rolled out to UK medical students later this year.
Saving time
Una Lane, director of registration and revalidation at the GMC, said identity checks are a key part of securing GMC registration.
“We are delighted that we are now able to offer doctors more flexibility by giving them the option to confirm their identity with us quickly, safely and securely using their mobile phone.
“We hope these checks will save already very busy doctors time and money as they will no longer need to travel to our offices if they choose the digital option. In-person ID checks are still available for those doctors who would prefer to show their documents in person.”
