GMC reports progress on tackling inequalities in medicine

The General Medical Council (GMC) has today reported progress on tackling inequalities in medicine, showing a reduction in disproportionate employer referrals of doctors from black and ethnic minority backgrounds and those who qualified outside the UK.

The GMC has committed to eliminating disproportionate employer referrals to its fitness to practise processes by the end of 2026. Its latest Equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) progress update shows it remains on track to meet that ambition.

The number of employers where data suggests disproportionate referrals in relation to a doctor's ethnicity or place of qualification has fallen. The latest figures show 2.4% of employers with evidence of such disproportionality, a 57% reduction on the 5.6% that were in the 2016-20 baseline period.

This has been achieved, in part, by initiatives including improved processes for employers referring doctors, and promoting mentoring programmes to support doctors.

The latest data comes at a time when the healthcare workforce is increasingly diverse. Black and ethnic minority medics now make up the majority of doctors working in the UK, and more than 40% of registered doctors qualified overseas. The GMC says tackling discrimination and unfairness is vital for retaining the skilled workforce necessary to deliver safe and high-quality care for patients.

The GMC also set a longer-term ambition to eradicate discrimination, disadvantage and unfairness in medical education and training by 2031. Progress towards this has been slower, and in its report the GMC says ‘continued system-wide action’ is still needed.

The report includes calls to action for governments, health system leaders, designated bodies, medical education providers and education and teaching leaders. They include prioritising equality, diversity and inclusion activity, developing and delivering anti-racism resources, and improving inductions for internationally qualified doctors recruited into the NHS.

GMC Chief Executive Charlie Massey says:

‘These are long-standing and deep-rooted issues that can only be addressed by continued and concerted action. In the years since we set these challenging targets, we have seen tangible improvements, but there remains much more to do.

‘There needs to be a redoubling of efforts to address lingering unfairness and inequality. For doctors to be able provide the best possible care for their patients, they must have supportive workplaces where they feel they belong, regardless of their background.’

Read the GMC’s full report, Equality, diversity and inclusion: Targets, progress and priorities.