A health professional who is specially trained in a certain branch of his/her profession related to specific services or procedures.
A doctor or other health professional who has trained to develop a particular skill: for example, surgery, cardiac medicine, accident and emergency care, care of the ageing, or radiology. As new medical techniques and treatments are developed, so new specialties evolve to provide them. Specialists have to pass recognised examinations as well as be certi?ed that they have undergone appropriate education and hands-on training. Once quali?ed, they are expected to continue their education and training to ensure that their skills are kept up-to-date. For doctors, the GENERAL MEDICAL COUNCIL (GMC), which is responsible for overseeing the training and registration of all medical doctors in the UK, also notes in its annual Medical Register those doctors who have completed appropriate specialist training. Doctors who have quali?ed and trained overseas have to pass appropriate GMC tests before they can practise in the UK.
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