How practical are the proposed Good Medical Practice guidelines?

The revised version of Good Medical Practice has come at a time of considerable changes in the delivery of healthcare in the UK.

Whilst we welcome the review, we have concerns that some of the guidance is impractical and that it does not consider the realities of practice. We also feel that in some instances it expects doctors to become too involved in non-clinical aspects of patients’ lives.

The guidance states that doctors must empower patients to improve and maintain their health and ‘encourage patients to stay in or return to employment’. This extends the responsibilities of doctors to providing occupational health advice which is a specialist field and not core knowledge.

We also take issue with some of the aspects under the heading ‘Openness and legal or disciplinary proceedings’ as it does not strike the right balance between doctors’ rights, due process and the GMC’s desire for transparency.

The requirement for doctors to inform the GMC if they are criticised by a Coroner or Sheriff is unnecessary given the existing powers of the Coroner and Sheriff to refer the doctors themselves if they have concerns.

It is important that the revised guidance focuses on principles on which doctors should conduct their professional lives, the duties that are expected of them and the standards against which they will be measured and that it does not hinder their ability to fulfil their core role.