On 4 July 2023, the British Medical Association (“BMA”) Annual Representative Meeting passed a no confidence vote in the General Medical Council (“GMC”) and the GMC’s Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (“MPTS”) and will now call for its leaderships dismissal. The BMA has voted in favour of a motion calling for the leadership teams to be dismissed and replaced with teams that “command the confidence and support of the medical profession”. The BMA’s decision comes after a series of high-profile cases in which doctors have been disciplined by the MPTS, including the case of Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba who was struck off after a patient died following a medical error and the widely controversial case of Dr Manjula Arora who was found to have dishonestly claimed she was promised a laptop.
Why does the BMA have no confidence in the GMC?
The BMA has said that it is concerned about the GMC’s “culture of blame” and its “lack of transparency“. The BMA also believes that the GMC is not doing enough to support doctors who are facing disciplinary action. BMA representatives have also called for improved access to mental wellbeing support during regulatory investigations, citing the GMC’s own report on deaths during investigations which found that 29 doctors died whilst under GMC investigation or monitoring over a three-year period since January 2018.
The BMA’s declaration of no confidence in the GMC is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the regulator. In recent years, the GMC has been criticized for its handling of a number of high-profile cases and the use of its appeal powers. The BMA’s decision is likely to increase pressure on the GMC to reform its practices. The GMC will need to address the BMA’s concerns if it wants to maintain the confidence of the medical profession.
What has been said?
Dr Samuel Parker, from the BMA’s North East regional council, said:
“There’s a huge personal burden resulting from GMC investigations and MPTS decisions appear disproportionate. The impact of doctors on GMC investigations is harrowing – a recent MPS survey of GPs under GMC investigation found 78% believed it had a detrimental impact to their mental wellbeing. Nearly half contemplated quitting medicine and over 40% felt suicidal.”
The GMC has responded to the BMA’s declaration of no confidence, saying that it is “disappointed” but that it is “committed to working with the BMA to improve the way we regulate doctors”. The GMC has also said that it is “committed to transparency and accountability” and that it is “always open to feedback”.
