MPS comments on the Lord Mann review of antisemitism and other forms of racism in the NHS and healthcare regulatory system

Commenting on the Lord Mann review, Dr Pallavi Bradshaw, Medical Protection Society (MPS) Medical Director, said:

“It is vital to tackle antisemitism, racism and other forms of discrimination in healthcare, and we support proposals aimed at improving the recording and monitoring of racist incidents as well as stronger accountability for NHS managers. However, we believe the report is wrong to propose retaining and expanding the GMC’s power to appeal decisions made by its own tribunal. This would not enhance the ability to challenge decisions about whether a doctor is fit to practice.

“The PSA already provides independent oversight of regulatory decisions. While much is made of the GMC’s success rate in appealing panel decisions, since 2016 the PSA has had an 88% success rate, compared with around 70% for the GMC. This demonstrates that there is already an effective and – crucially – an independent mechanism in place to appeal decisions where necessary.

“Doctors already face lengthy and stressful regulatory proceedings. Retaining overlapping appeal rights will only compound this while adding unnecessary layers of duplication, inconsistency, cost, and complexity within the regulatory system.

“We also oppose proposals to extend appeal rights to interim order decisions. Interim orders are precautionary, time‑limited measures imposed before the facts of a case have been established. Allowing appeals at this stage risks adding further delay and stress to an already challenging process, without clear evidence that current safeguards are inadequate.

“At a time when the government is rightly seeking to create a more proportionate and effective regulatory system, these recommendations risk moving in the opposite direction.”

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