GMC response to Lady Justice Thirlwall's report

Following publication of the Thirlwall Inquiry report, which examined events relating to the safety of babies at the Countess of Chester hospital, Anthony Omo, General Counsel and Director of Fitness to Practise at the GMC said:

‘Our thoughts remain with the babies who were murdered and harmed by Lucy Letby, and with their parents, families and loved ones who have endured unimaginable loss and suffering. Nothing can undo what happened, and we recognise the profound impact these events continue to have on all those affected.

‘The Thirlwall Inquiry’s findings reinforce the importance of ensuring concerns about patient safety are heard and acted on, and that doctors feel able to raise them without fear of repercussions. The Inquiry’s findings about the treatment of doctors who raised concerns at the Countess of Chester Hospital, including the threats of GMC referral, is deeply concerning. Our processes must never be used as a weapon against doctors who speak up about patient safety.

‘Doctors have a professional duty to raise concerns when they believe patients may be at risk, but they must feel able and supported to do so. Those in leadership and management roles have an important responsibility to create an environment and culture where concerns can be raised and addressed safely and appropriately.

‘We have introduced a range of safeguards to prevent the misuse of fitness to practise referrals, which includes requiring organisations to disclose when a referred doctor has raised concerns, and whether the concerns raised have been investigated.

‘There are several ways in which we support doctors to raise concerns, including information and resources and our confidential helpline. Our whistleblowing policy outlines how a whistleblower may go about raising a concern with us and the legal protection they may receive as a result. We have also recently consulted on our professional standards about leadership, management, and raising and acting on concerns about patient safety to ensure our guidance reflects the needs and experiences of doctors.

‘We will now consider the Thirlwall Inquiry’s findings carefully.’