Dr Pallavi Bradshaw, Medical Director at Medical Protection, said:

“We welcome this long-awaited consultation on GMC reform. Thousands of doctors needlessly go through stressful and slow GMC processes each year, with the regulator working within the confines of legislation that is over 40 years old. Few areas of regulation in the UK are more overdue modernisation.

“Compassion in regulation is essential, and we are pleased to see important safeguards to protect doctors’ wellbeing during an investigation. 31 organisations co-signed our letter to the Government on this issue last year, urging it to keep the ‘health’ category of impairment - a distinct route under which doctors with existing health concerns can be investigated by the GMC. This is a small but important step that would help protect the most vulnerable doctors, while also safeguarding patients.

"We are however very concerned that the consultation on GMC reform proposes to maintain and in fact enhance the GMC’s power to appeal medical tribunal decisions – despite the Government committing to removing it. Challenging tribunal decisions is and has long been the role of the Professional Standards Authority. The GMC is the only UK health regulator with a statutory right to appeal its own tribunal’s decisions, which duplicates the PSA’s powers.

“The proposed changes mean that a doctor would be subject to potential appeals from both bodies following either a substantive or interim sanction which is likely to lead to more delay, uncertainty and cost. This anomaly contributes to the increasing distrust between doctors and the regulator, and this is a disappointing development for the profession.

“Doctors should be held to account in a way that is fair and proportionate. We will study the proposals in detail and will work with the Government with the aim of delivering a framework that reflects this and is fit for the future.”