Frequently asked questions: GMC’s ethnicity census
Why is the GMC collecting ethnicity data?
As well as our aim of achieving fairness for all, we have a number of specific statutory duties and responsibilities under the Race Relations Act and other important legislation. To enable us to fulfil these duties and to demonstrate the profession’s commitment to diversity and equality we need good quality, relevant data.
How are you obtaining the data?
We will be contacting those doctors for whom we do not have access to current ethnicity data, requesting they provide us with this information. We have successfully partnered with the NHS in England to obtain ethnicity data for doctors in their employ, significantly reducing the number of doctors who need to take part in this exercise.
How will the data be used?
We will use the data to analyse diversity issues. This analysis will, among other things, help us to understand why proportionately more international medical graduates appear before our Fitness to Practise Panels.
Will the GMC publish any reports from this data?
The data we collect in this census will be aggregated and anonymised should it be used in any published reports.
How will the GMC ensure security of the data?
We recognise that ethnicity data is sensitive personal data. We will ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place when collecting and storing your data. We are British Standards Institute accredited at ISO 27001 level – the world’s leading standard for Information Security – and we will keep security under review.
How will confidentiality be protected?
The data you supply to us will remain confidential. Your personal data will not be available on the medical register nor will the data be held in any publicly available database or provided to enquirers. Access to the data you supply will also be restricted and tightly controlled within the GMC.
What system are you using to categorise ethnicity?
We are using the standard list of categories used in the 2001 National Population Census. This system of categorisation is designed to enable the majority of the population to identify themselves in an accurate and manageable way.
