Medical Protection comments on GMC advice regarding Covid-19 complaints
Post date: 16/09/2020 | Time to read article: 1 minsThe information within this article was correct at the time of publishing. Last updated 17/09/2020
The GMC has issued guidance to its staff setting out how to take the Covid-19 context into account when considering complaints against doctors.
Commenting, Dr Rob Hendry, Medical Director at Medical Protection, said:
“We have continually urged the GMC to acknowledge the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic and issue a statement of reassurance that it will show restraint and only open an investigation where there is a serious concern about a doctor’s fitness to practise. This GMC staff guidance setting out how to take the Covid-19 context into account when considering complaints, will be welcomed by doctors, many of whom have had the stress of the pandemic compounded by the prospect of a regulatory investigation.
“The guidance must however stand the test of time. It could be some time – potentially years - before such investigations are handled and we remain concerned that by this point memories of this difficult time may have faded.”
ENDS
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About MPS
The Medical Protection Society Limited (“MPS”) is the world’s leading protection organisation for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals. We protect and support the professional interests of more than 300,000 members around the world. Membership provides access to expert advice and support and can also provide, depending on the type of membership required, the right to request indemnity for any complaints or claims arising from professional practice.
Our in-house experts assist with the wide range of legal and ethical problems that arise from professional practice. This can include clinical negligence claims, complaints, medical and dental council inquiries, legal and ethical dilemmas, disciplinary procedures, inquests and fatal accident inquiries.
Our philosophy is to support safe practice in medicine and dentistry by helping to avert problems in the first place. We do this by promoting risk management through our workshops, E-learning, clinical risk assessments, publications, conferences, lectures and presentations.
MPS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MPS are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
