MPS welcomes revised Good Medical Practice but expresses concerns for its practicality

We have concerns that some of the guidance is impractical and that it does not consider the realities of practice

The Medical Protection Society (MPS) has responded to the review of the General Medical Council’s (GMC) core guidance for doctors, Good Medical Practice, and whilst it welcomes the revised guidance, it has concerns that some of the additional expectations it will place on doctors are not realistic.

Dr Stephanie Bown, Director of Policy and Communications at MPS says: “The revised version of Good Medical Practice has come at a time of considerable changes in the delivery of healthcare in the UK.

“We have concerns that some of the guidance is impractical and that it does not consider the realities of practice. We also feel that in some instances it expects doctors to become too involved in non-clinical aspects of patients’ lives.

“The guidance states that doctors must empower patients to improve and maintain their health and ‘encourage patients to stay in or return to employment’. This extends the responsibilities of doctors to providing occupational health advice which is a specialist field and not core knowledge.

“We also take issue with some of the aspects under the heading ‘Openness and legal or disciplinary proceedings’ as it does not strike the right balance between doctors’ rights, due process and the GMC’s desire for transparency. The requirement for doctors to inform the GMC if they are criticised by a Coroner or Sheriff is unnecessary given the existing powers of the Coroner and Sheriff to refer the doctors themselves if they have concerns.

“It is important that the revised guidance focuses on principles on which doctors should conduct their professional lives, the duties that are expected of them and the standards against which they will be measured and that it does not hinder their ability to fulfil their core role.”

The full consultation response can be viewed on the MPS website.

More information

For further information please contact Kim Watson, Press Officer at +44 207 399 1409 or email kim.watson@mps.org.uk

Notes to editors

For information on the review of the GMC’s Good Medical Practice please click here.