If you’ve referred a doctor to the GMC

If you have concerns about the fitness to practise of a doctor, you should first refer to our referral guidance (pdf) and contact your employer liaison adviser (ELA), who will be able to offer advice. 

If your ELA recommends that you refer a doctor to us, we’ll need specific information to help us decide whether to investigate. In particular:

  • a chronology of events, including dates if possible
  • details of exactly what concerns you feel require GMC consideration and why
  • relevant background information
  • details of any action taken locally
  • medical records for the relevant time period
  • any available supporting documentation, for example investigation reports, expert reports or disciplinary records
  • whether you feel there are patient safety concerns
  • if the doctor you are referring has raised patient safety concerns, you should provide details of what these relate to and how they’ve been managed locally.
Who is this guide for?
This guide is for responsible officers who want to understand what might happen after they refer a doctor to us for investigation.
When does this guide apply?
If you've referred a doctor to us for investigation, this guide highlights any further information or assistance that we may need from you.
  1. Summary
  2. Gathering evidence
  3. Assessing a doctor's performance
  4. Interim orders tribunals
  1. What happens at the end of an investigation?
  2. Other potential outcomes
  3. Referral to a medical practitioners tribunal
  4. Your role in monitoring a doctor's restrictions
Next Gathering evidence