Allow doctors to take on roles to benefit UK healthcare

The chair of the General Medical Council (GMC) has joined forces with the UK’s chief medical officers to urge those who employ doctors to enable them to take on advisory and support roles that will benefit healthcare systems across the UK.

Government and statutory agencies such as NICE, the Committee of Human Medicines, Royal Colleges and the GMC rely heavily on the involvement of senior medical professionals for their expertise and experience in a range of roles.

In a joint letter, the GMC’s Chair and the UK’s chief medical officers ask NHS and other organisations to view this activity by clinical staff as an investment in the system as a whole.

With growing pressure on resources the letter acknowledges the need for organisations to meet local needs but urges chief executives and boards to support doctors who can share their knowledge and expertise for the wider benefit.

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

‘The work doctors undertake alongside their clinical duties contributes enormously to the overall quality of patient care, medical education and the effective running of the health service.’

‘The GMC has long relied on doctors’ time, knowledge and experience and we need that help going forward. We also believe that their participation in national and regional professional roles reflect well on the organisations for whom they work.’

Many organisations already support their doctors who carry out vital roles in statutory and professional organisations across the UK.