Endnotes

Although these principles are relevant to all doctors, whatever roles they have, the judgment in Remedy UK Ltd, R (on the application of Remedy UK Ltd) v General Medical Council [2010] EWHC 1245 (Admin) found that there are some roles that are so far removed from practising medicine that the GMC’s fitness to practise procedures do not apply to them. However, doctors are still accountable to the GMC when they are performing a wide range of clinical management roles (for example, as a clinical or medical director) or other non-clinical roles (for example, as a medical educator or researcher), even if medical knowledge or expertise is not needed for the roles (for example, as a chief executive of a hospital).

Those you work with, including managers of services, whether or not they are also doctors.

For example, you must make sure policies accurately reflect employment and related legislation, including the Equality Act 2010. If you are working in Northern Ireland, see The Gaps between GB and NI Equality Law (pdf) (January 2011), which sets out the differences between the legislative framework and protections in Northern Ireland.

General Medical Council (2012) Raising and acting on concerns about patient safety London, GMC

General Medical Council (2013) Good medical practice London, GMC.

Follett B, Paulson-Ellis M (2001) A review of appraisal, disciplinary and reporting arrangements for senior NHS and university staff with academic and clinical duties London, Department for Education and Skills.

Medical Profession (Responsible Officers) Regulations 2010 (which cover England, Wales and Scotland) or the Medical Profession (Responsible Officers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.

Department of Health (England 2010) The Role of the Responsible Officer - Closing the gap in Medical Regulation - Responsible Officer Guidance (pdf), Department of Health. Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (2011) Confidence in care: Guidance on the role of responsible officers for doctors and employers (pdf) Belfast, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. At the time of printing, no additional guidance had been published by the departments of health in Scotland and Wales.

For example, you must be familiar with the Equality Act 2010, data protection law and relevant employment legislation.

General Medical Council (2017) Confidentiality: good practice in handling patient information London, GMC.

General Medical Council (2017) Confidentiality: good practice in handling  patient information London, GMC, paragraphs 128 - 130 (Records management and retention).

Slowther A et al (2009) Non UK qualified doctors and Good Medical Practice: the experience of working within a different professional framework University of Warwick.

The Standing Committee on Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (1998) Supporting doctors and dentists at work: an inquiry into mentoring London, SCOPME, described mentoring as: ‘The process whereby an experienced, highly regarded, empathic person (the mentor), guides another individual (the mentee) in the development and re-examination of their own ideas, learning, and personal and professional development. The mentor who often, but not necessarily, works in the same organisation or field as the mentee, achieves this by listening and talking in confidence to the mentee.’

GP trainers are required to be approved under section 34I(1) of the Medical Act 1983

General Medical Council (2011) Gateways to the professions: advising medical schools: encouraging disabled students London, General Medical Council.

A more detailed discussion on the difference between a personal grievance and raising a concern can be found in Speak up for a healthy NHS, produced by Protect.

For further information see Raising and acting on concerns about patient safety.

For further information see the Protect website.

General Medical Council (2017) Confidentiality: good practice in handling patient information London, GMC.

General Medical Council (2012) Writing references London, GMC.

For example, national service frameworks and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidelines.

For example, a patient’s age, colour, culture, disability, ethnic or national origin, gender, lifestyle, marital or parental status, race, religion or beliefs, sex, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. For further information see the Equality Act 2010. If you are working in Northern Ireland, see The Gaps between GB and NI Equality Law (January 2011), which sets out the differences between the legislative framework and protections in Northern Ireland.

And those close to the patient where the patient lacks capacity or has asked you to communicate with a family member, carer or friend.

General Medical Council (2020) Decision making and consent London, GMC, paragraph 13.

General Medical Council (2008) Conflicts of interest London, GMC.