Managers must respond to doctors’ patient safety concerns, GMC says

Supervisors should react to medical professionals’ patient safety issues, GMC states

Medical professionals should continue to highlight risks to the safety of clients as pressure on services installs,1 and health service managers should react to these concerns, the UK General Medical Council has said. Charlie Massey, the GMC’s chief executive, said that the regulator identified that physicians throughout the UK were doing their utmost to preserve requirements of look after patients. “They are telling us that there is unprecedented need on services which collective action is now required … Register for a free trial to thebmj.com to get limitless access to all content on thebmj.com for 2 Week. Register for a free trial Register for signals If you have registered for informs, you need to use your signed up email address as your username If you are not able to import citations, pleas …

See all stories on this topic New GMC report highlights elements that impact progression of medical professionals in training

New data released by the General Medical Council (GMC) reports for the first time on examination outcomes and recruitment results for different groups of doctors throughout the UK. Among the findings (pdf), females medical professionals were more likely to pass their tests or be provided a training post than guys. Ethnic minority physicians from UK medical schools did less well in recruitment and examinations than their white equivalents, but much better than white medical professionals from a non-UK medical school. Commenting on today’s report Niall Dickson, Chief Executive of the GMC, said: ‘We have to treat this brand-new details with care– the examination data is just based upon one year’s figures and we do not yet understand why these distinctions happen. But being open about all this is a crucial primary step to analysing what is goi …

See all stories on this subject Former head of physicians’regulator to lead NHS Confederation Niall Dickson, previous president of medical professionals’ regulator the General Medical Council (GMC) has been selected as the new chief executive of the NHS Confederation. Mr Dickson will begin his brand-new position as head of the body that represents most NHS supplier organisations and commissioners from next month, replacing outbound chief executive Stephen Dalton. Prior to his role as president for the GMC between 2010 and 2016, Mr Dickson was chief executive of think tank The King’s Fund, social affairs editor at the BBC, and editor for Nursing Times publication. Throughout his time at the GMC, Mr Dickson was involved in delivering different reforms including: NHS Confederation chairman Stephen Dorrell said: “This appointment is a major coup for the NHS Confederation and will include massive valu …

See all stories on this topic Report reveals ongoing support for physicians getting GP or specialist registration A report published today reveals enhancements continue to be made to support physicians looking for entry to the expert and GP register. View the report (pdf). Many medical professionals join these registers by completing a formal training program approved by the GMC and will have attained a Certificate of Conclusion of Training. Nevertheless some, for instance those who have trained and acquired their experience overseas, apply with comparable training proof and could be granted a Certificate of Eligibility for Professional Registration (CESR) or a Certificate of Eligibility for GP Registration (CEGPR). In 2012 a consultation was held to take a look at how the process for evaluating those who have not completed their training in the UK could be enhanced, made fairer and more effective. Over the previous year work has …

See all stories on this topic GMC declaration on security for whistle-blowers Our assistance and suggestions for whistle-blowers. Niall Dickson, President of the GMC, said: ‘We are absolutely clear about whistle-blowing and raising issues. Every medical professional has a duty to raise issues about patient security but they should be able to this without fear of unjust criticism, detriment or termination. Our assistance states medical professionals who do raise issues have to be supported and protected, and Parliament has recognised that the law likewise has a part to play in this. ‘Physicians in training need to take pleasure in the same legal defenses as others in the NHS who raise issues. If there is a space in present legislation this ought to be addressed as a matter of seriousness. We comprehend the Department of health is considering this matter and we invite that. ‘We take the problem of whistle-blowers extremely …

See all stories on this topic GMC welcomes independent whistleblowers examine by Sir Anthony Hooper An independent review commissioned by the GMC has recommended that organisations referring concerns about a physician’s fitness to practice to the GMC must state whether the physician has raised concerns about client security. The report by Sir Anthony Hooper (pdf), a retired Lord Justice of Appeal, says there is evidence that those who raise issues might suffer, or believe that they suffer, reprisals from their company or from associates. He proposes a series of recommendations for GMC investigations to make sure that such whistleblowers are dealt with fairly. Sir Anthony states the crucial to minimising the threat that the GMC unwittingly becomes the instrument of the company in a project versus a doctor is an understanding of the background to the allegation. Niall Dickson, Chief Executiv …

See all stories on this topic GMC urges cosmetic procedure clients to

question doctors Individuals thinking of having a cosmetic treatment are being prompted to question their doctors prior to going ahead with treatment, in brand-new guidance released today (Wednesday 01 June) by the General Medical Council (GMC). As difficult standards for medical professionals carrying out cosmetic practice entered force– covering whatever from fillers to face lifts– the GMC has released a guide to help potential patients research and receive safe, high quality cosmetic care. The GMC states individuals considering a COSMETIC procedure need to remember the following when communicating with their medical professional: Approval– The physician who will perform your procedure should talk to you personally and get your approval. Openness – Your physician needs to be open and truthful about their ability, experience, fees and any conflicts of interests … See all stories on this topic