GMC Defence Barristers
Blog & NewsThe latest news on everything GMC related and blog posts from GMC Defence Barrister Stephen McCaffrey.
Whistleblowing to GMC – when and how to raise and act on concerns
This is a complex topic, and unfortunately many doctors feel unsure how to correctly balance the requirements of patient safety, public interest, responsibilities to colleagues and duties to employers.
Refusal to give evidence and inference in GMC FtP cases
Negative conclusions can be drawn by the GMC's medical practitioners tribunal service (MPTS) panel if doctors decide not to testify or give evidence in their disciplinary tribunal.
State indemnity scheme and GMC FtP referrals
The rules governing the scheme include provision for NHS Resolution to share information about claims with the GMC.
Senior healthcare leaders need more support to ensure good patient care
A General Medical Council (GMC) commission study found that senior healthcare staff are unprepared and unsupported for the challenges of leadership during the early stages of their management careers.
Doctor rest breaks and overtime – Court of Appeal ruling
Junior doctors have won a court case against a hospital trust over rest breaks which “could have far-reaching implications for the NHS.”
GMC to regulate two new associates roles
The Department of Health and Social Care has announced the General Medical Council (GMC) will regulate physician associates (PA) and anaesthesia associates.
Government proposals to reform GMC fitness to practise process
LinkedIn Twitter The Government has set out plans to modernise fitness to practise processes and give healthcare regulators greater autonomy to be responsive to a fast-changing healthcare environment. The UK Department of Health & Social Care has published its...
BAME doctors are more likely to be referred to GMC
Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) doctors are more likely to be referred to the GMC in fitness to practise cases than their white counterparts.
Reflective practice – Doctors
The leaders of nine healthcare regulators, including the GMC, have signed a joint statement to stress the benefits of good reflection among healthcare professionals.
Are BAME doctors more likely to be investigated than white ones?
The BBC recently shared the experience of a Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) doctor who was jailed but his conviction was quashed on appeal.
Independent review of gross negligence manslaughter and culpable homicide in medical practice
Doctors being investigated after the death of a patient should expect official investigations to take into account their working environments and pressures.
What happens when someone raises a concern with the GMC
When a doctor’s fitness to practise is called in to question, the GMC has a legal obligation to investigate the complaint to establish if the doctor’s fitness to practise may be impaired.
Government relax immigration rules for overseas doctors
Overseas doctors will no longer have to meet onerous visa and immigration restrictions to work in the NHS.
Is video-link evidence becoming the norm in MPTS hearings?
At a hearing at the Medical Practitioner’s Tribunal Service any party can make an application to have a witness’s evidence heard by video-link.
Doctor happy with MPTS outcome for prescribing for family members
GMC Defence Barristers were successful in persuading the MPTS to impose a conditions of practise order for a doctor.
GMC Defence Barristers secure case closed with no further action conclusion
GMC Defence Barristers were successful in securing our client’s case was closed with no action being taken.
GMC offer additional support for disabled doctors
The General Medical Council (GMC) has issued new advice to support doctors with disabilities aimed at training institutions and medical schools.
Registration Applications to the GMC
The routes to registration with the GMC are varied and will depend on your nationality, qualifications and experience.
GMC Interim Orders
LinkedIn Twitter The GMC may refer a doctor for an interim orders hearing at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service [MPTS] at any stage in proceedings. The role of the Interim Orders Tribunal [IOT] is to consider whether the doctor’s registration should be...
GMC clarifies expectations of newly qualified doctors
The General Medical Council (GMC) has updated its practical skills and procedures list newly qualified doctors.
GMC to speed up Fitness to Practise decision-making
The GMC has announced plans to introduce steps designed to reduce the number of fitness to practise investigations it carries out.
Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice & revised GMC advice
The GMC has called on Doctors to check their insurance and indemnity cover as the Government launches state-backed Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP).
Training for doctors to report unprofessionalism
The GMC has recently announced that doctors will receive training support to call out unprofessional behaviours from colleagues which can affect patient safety and outcomes.
Protections for whistleblowing doctors
A renowned Urologist constructively dismissed for whistleblowing says promises of protection for doctors are repeatedly broken.
Disciplinary Investigation at Work
If someone has made a complaint against you at work, the best thing to do is to stay calm and ask for full details of the complaint.
GMC publish SAS and LED doctor insight paper
The General Medical Council (GMC) has published an insight paper on the role and contribution of specialty and associate specialists (SAS) and locally employed doctors (LEDs).
GMC Defence Barristers successfully defend doctor before MPTS
Head of chambers, Stephen McCaffrey and Catherine Stock, have successfully defended a foundation doctor before the GMC’s Fitness to Practise Panel.
GMC study on effectiveness of regulation published
A recent GMC study has found that public confidence in doctors and the way that doctors are regulated remains high.
NHS Staff and Learners’ Mental Wellbeing Report
The Health Education England Health and Care Workforce Strategy for England to 2027 - Facing the Facts, Shaping the Future - announced a new Commission on the mental wellbeing of NHS staff and learners.
NHS Staff Survey 2018 Results
The results of the 2018 NHS staff survey have been published and staff errors “that could have hurt patients” is at a five year high.