GMC review launched in wake of Shipman inquiry
Fifth Shipman report censured the GMC |
The role, structure and function of the General Medical Council, which regulates doctors in the UK, is to be reviewed, Secretary of State for Health John Reid has announced. The move follows criticism and recommendations by the chairman of the Shipman Inquiry, Dame Janet Smith, last year (PJ, 18/25 December 2004, p874).
Dame Janet criticised the GMC for acting in the interests of its registrants
rather than putting patient protection first. Her report said that there
was a perception that the GMC had a representative role despite the fact
that it is solely a regulatory body. She suggested that the GMC cannot
rid itself of this perception because of its constitution, which means
that it is effectively controlled by elected members.
Dame Janet said: “It is not appropriate that the GMC should be
dominated by elected members. It should certainly be dominated by medical
members; I am not suggesting that there should be any increase in the
proportion of lay members. But I do suggest that there should be more
appointed medical members, people who are not beholden to an electorate
and who do not see themselves in the position of representatives of the
profession.”
Announcing the review, Dr Reid said: “We want to put an end to
the idea that the GMC is a representative body for doctors. It is not.
Its primary role must be to protect
patients.”
The review is to be carried out by Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical
officer for England. Its three aims will be to identify measures to:
· Strengthen procedures for assuring the safety of patients where a
doctor’s performance or conduct poses a risk to patient safety
or the effective functioning of services
· Ensure the operation of an effective system of revalidation
· Modify the role, structure and functions of the GMC
Sir Liam will be supported by a 19-member advisory group of representatives
of consumer, health care quality and professional
interests.
Mandie Lavin, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s director of fitness
to practise and legal affairs, said: “The Society supports the
Government’s review into patient safety and will carefully consider
the outcome and
recommendations. The Society would wish to contribute to the work of
the review and welcomes the comprehensive nature of the membership of
the advisory group. Patient safety, public confidence and trust are of
paramount importance for all health
professionals.”
Society Council member Graham Phillips said that the review is likely
to have implications for the Society. He believes that whatever happens
to the GMC will happen to the Society.
Mr Phillips said that Council policy is for the Society to have both
regulatory and professional representative roles. But he is coming to
the view that the Society should divide into separate organisations for
the two roles.
“The Government accepts that the Society should be both professional
and regulatory, but through the Privy Council it is pushing us in only
one
direction. Circumstances may force us to a future in which we lose the
regulatory role or ask the Government to take regulation away. Council
policy is for the Society to have both roles, but I’m close to
thinking that it has stopped working for us.” |
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