It's time to change the culture around raising concerns

The GMC's Chief Executive, Niall Dickson, calls for a change in culture around raising concerns.

Doctors must act when they believe patient safety is at risk, or when patients’ care or dignity is being compromised. This may seem obvious but we know there have been circumstances in which doctors have either felt these issues were someone else’s responsibility or did not feel able to speak out.  

We recognise that in some situations raising concerns is not easy and our new guidance sets out where to go for help and support and how to tackle any barriers that may exist. It also stresses the important role for doctors in managerial positions in making sure their colleagues are supported when they raise concerns.  

Guidance on its own is necessary, but it is not sufficient. Raising and acting on concerns needs to become part of the culture of the profession and the organisations in which doctors work. Doctors who raise concerns must feel that they will be listened to and supported.  

You can read the guidance and case studies on what it means in practice online. I hope you find this useful and that, as well as guiding practice, the guidance will stimulate discussion and debate where you work.   

The more doctors can encourage an open and transparent discourse on the quality of care, the more all staff will feel able to raise concerns and improve standards. One way we, as the regulator, will play our part in this is by having those discussions with employers, medical directors and patient groups across the UK.  

We want to do everything we can to make raising and acting on concerns easier. What more could we do? If you have a suggestion, please send it to ebulletin@gmc-uk.org.