Doctors passed a vote of no confidence in the GMC at the Union’s Annual Representative Meeting this week, Pulse reports.
The vote follows an earlier decision of the same nature after the case around Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba.
Proposing this year’s motion, Dr Samuel Parker told colleagues: “There’s a huge personal burden resulting from GMC investigations, and MPTS decisions appear disproportionate.
“The impact of doctors on GMC investigations is harrowing – a recent MPS survey of GPs under GMC investigation found 78% believed it had a detrimental impact to their mental wellbeing. Nearly half contemplated quitting medicine and over 40% felt suicidal.”
Last month the GMC were forced to clarify that doctors could apologise at work without admitting guilt. The month before, an MPS survey Dr Parker cites found that fear of investigation was affecting GPs’ mental health.
Dr Richard Fieldhouse, NASGP chair, said: “The British Medical Association has certainly fired a shot across the bow of the General Medical Council, who have in return responded with a detailed appraisal of the work they have already been doing to resolve the issues they have been charged with.
“In the meantime, we’ve developed a professional support toolkit specifically for salaried GPs and GP locums in need.”