Regulating doctors, ensuring good medical practice

New website launched for doctors with health concerns

Press Release

20 Jan 2012

The General Medical Council is launching Your Health Matters, a new website for doctors who may be concerned about their own health or that of a colleague.

This information provides the first step in this support, helping to provide timely information for doctors who may for health reasons be involved in the GMC's fitness to practise procedures.

Clare Gerada, Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners and Medical Director of Practitioner Health Programme

The website provides case studies showing doctors with a range of health concerns, a testimonial from a doctor who has gone through fitness to practise procedures, and a range of advice on the process.

Your Health Matters also provides detailed information about what happens to doctors who are referred to the GMC where the concerns relate to their health.

Niall Dickson, the Chief Executive of General Medical Council said:

"It would be hard to overstate the anguish and trauma experienced by many doctors whose health has affected their ability to practise. We recognise that our procedures can often bring additional stress. While the GMC must never compromise on standards of patient safety, we are anxious to do what we can to support doctors with health problems and help them back to safe practice wherever possible.

‘We are enormously grateful for the support of Practitioner Health Programme and input from the Doctors’ Support Network and the British Medical Association in making sure this website targets and meets the needs of doctors with health concerns’.

Dr Clare Gerada, the Medical Director of Practitioner Health Programme and Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said:

‘When a doctor is referred to the GMC it can be one of the most stressful and painful times of their lives and, for many, can lead to long periods of anxiety and depression.

‘The GMC are mindful of this and, while their primary responsibility is the protection of patients, they are also aware that doctors need to be supported as the GMC process unfolds.

‘This information provides the first step in this support, helping to provide timely information for doctors who may for health reasons be involved in the GMC's fitness to practise procedures.’

The GMC will be undertaking research to assess if its current fitness to practise procedures for doctors with health concerns are striking the right balance. It is also developing new guidance to help its decision makers as they consider whether or not to launch an investigation when dealing with a doctor who is suspected of having a health problem that is affecting their practice.

For more information, go to www.gmc-uk.org/doctorshealth

Notes to Editors:

1. The Practitioner Health Programme (www.php.nhs.uk) is a service for doctors and dentists who have mental health or addiction problems affecting their work.

2.The Doctors Support Network (www.dsn.org.uk) is a fully confidential, friendly self-help group for doctors with mental health concerns.

3. BMA Counselling and Doctor Advisor Service. In times of difficulty or distress call 24/7: Confidential support for doctors in difficulty through professional counsellors and Doctor Advisors, telephone: 08459 200 169. For further information please contact the Media Relations Office on 020 7189 5454, out of hours 020 7189 5444/ 07920 461497, email press@gmc-uk.org, website www.gmc-uk.org.

The General Medical Council registers and licenses doctors to practise medicine in the UK. Our purpose is summed up in the phrase: Regulating doctors, Ensuring Good Medical Practice.

The law gives us four main functions:

  • keeping up-to-date registers of qualified doctors
  • fostering good medical practice
  • promoting high standards of medical education and training
  • dealing firmly and fairly with doctors whose fitness to practise is in doubt