GMC Chief Executive welcomes BMA report
Charlie Massey, Chief Executive and Registrar of the General Medical Council, said:
‘We welcome the BMA’s report as it is wholly unacceptable for racial inequality to exist in a modern-day medical profession and society.
‘We’re working hard to do everything we can to achieve long-lasting change and support the wider health system to overcome barriers to change. We have accelerated our commitment to eliminate disproportionate complaints from employers about ethnic minority doctors by 2026, and to eradicate disadvantage and discrimination in medical education and training by 2031. Additionally, we continue to deliver our Welcome to UK Practice sessions and we are working with NHS England and NHS Improvement to make sure it features as a mandatory part of a broader induction for international medical graduates new to working in England.
‘If doctors are exposed to discrimination, unfairness and indignity on a daily basis, as outlined in this report they will never thrive, which will have a catastrophic effect on patient care. It is up to each and every one of us to make sure the healthcare profession is a safe and inclusive environment for all.
‘We know we play an important role in delivering racial equality which is why, following recent discussions and feedback, we are also looking at ourselves and our own processes. We are committed to learning from cases to see whether lessons can be applied in the future to make sure our processes are equitable.
‘By working together, we can achieve this goal and retain the skills and experiences of ethnic minority clinicians which is so vital to a post-pandemic recovery, but crucially it will foster supportive and inclusive environments for all staff which keeps patients safe.’
