Concerns

If serious concerns are raised with us about a doctor’s behaviour, health or performance, we can investigate to determine whether patient safety, or the public’s confidence in doctors, is at risk. You can find out more about the type of concerns we can investigate, and the actions we may take, below. If you're a doctor under investigation, you can find information on sources of support available to you. For patients or members of the public raising a concern, or if you’re a witness, you can also find resources to support you.  

How to raise your concern or refer yourself

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I am a member of the public
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Are we the right organisation?

We want you to raise your concern with the right people. Sometimes that's us. But other organisations may be best placed to help.
English help services
Northern Irish help services
Scottish help services
Welsh help services
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Know when we can take action and what we can do

If you’re raising a concern, or are thinking about it, it’s important you know what to expect and what the outcome might be.
How will we investigate your concern?
What can you expect from us?
3

Know what we'll need from you when you raise a concern

We want you to know as much as possible about what you'll need to do when raising your concern.
How can you raise a concern with us?
Get support and raise your concern
I am a doctor or colleague
1

Decide whether to raise a concern

You can read our ethical guidance for doctors on raising and acting on concerns to help you understand what you should do.
Raising and acting on concerns
2

Know how to raise a concern with us

You can raise a concern online. You can also call our confidential helpline, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm, on 0161 923 6399.
Raise my concern
3

Know what will happen after raising a concern

We’ll review your concern and tell you within two weeks whether we'll investigate it further. If we don't, we will explain why.
What happens when you contact us with a concern?
I am ready to raise a concern
I am a responsible officer
1

Speak to your employer liaison adviser

You should get advice from your employer liaison adviser about whether to refer the doctor to us.
Find your employer liaison adviser
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Know how to make a referral to us

Read our guidance on making a referral for responsible officers and support materials so you know what you should do.
Referral guidance (pdf)
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Raise your referral with us and understand what happens next

You can refer a doctor using GMC Connect. If you can’t use GMC Connect, you should download our referral form below.
What happens after a referral?
Referral form download (pdf)
Refer a doctor using GMC Connect
I am a doctor referring myself
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Know if you should consider self-referral

Do you have a health condition (including alcohol or drugs) or sanctions and criticism for any offences in our reporting guidance. You should tell us if you have a health condition which may prevent you meeting the standard described in our guidance.
Protected spent cautions and convictions
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Speak to your medical defence organisation

If you're a member of a medical defence organisation get their advice if you think you should make a self-referral.
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Speak to us as soon as possible

You can also call us with any queries about self-referral, Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm. Call us on 0161 923 6602.
I am ready to raise my concern

Retrieve a concern about a doctor

If you have already started to raise a concern with us, you can retrieve your saved concern and continue
Retrieve a concern

A doctor talking to their responsible officer

Guide for doctors

Being investigated can be stressful. You can see how we'll investigate, and what you can do to minimise the impact on your practice in our doctor support area.

Doctors under investigation

Quick links:

Further support

A medical student talking

Patient liaison service

Our patient liaison service is on hand to talk through what's going to happen if we decide to investigate your concern.
Man using a laptop

Reasonable adjustments and easy read information

If you are looking for support in raising a concern with us we have an easy read form and a guide for people with learning disabilities as part of our reasonable adjustments.
what action can we take against a doctor

What happens if we investigate your concern

If we find that doctor has failed to meet our standards there are a number of actions we can take.