Statement on GMC's updated guidance on doctors with low level allegations

The General Medical Council (GMC) has published updated guidance on how it will consider concerns about doctors involving allegations of low level violence and dishonesty.

Commenting on this publication, Dr Rob Hendry, Medical Director at Medical Protection, said:

“We have for some time called on the GMC to reduce the number of investigations into lower level allegations that are unlikely to impact on a doctor’s fitness to practise, and focus on investigating serious concerns where a doctor’s behaviour poses a risk to patients. The vast majority of GMC investigations are closed without action, the end result being that far too many doctors go through a stressful process each year.

“We welcome the GMC’s commitment to a more proportionate approach to some lower level allegations. We hope this approach will be applied consistently, and that those allegations requiring no further action are processed swiftly.”

ENDS

For further information contact: Suzi Salleh, Press Officer | [email protected] | Mobile: +44 779 080 7722

About Medical Protection

Medical Protection is a trading name of The Medical Protection Society Limited (“MPS”). 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.