Two years on from the Singh and Forde review, the GMC is making progress

Abstract

It is two years since I, along with my co-author Martin Forde KC, published our review into the General Medical Council’s (GMC) handling of the case of a GP who was suspended over a claim she had been promised a laptop (The Singh and Forde review).1 The case caused significant disquiet among the medical profession and while the GMC apologised, lingering concerns about its processes and decision making have remained, particularly when it comes to the treatment of ethnic minority doctors. As a long-standing champion for equality and inclusion, I was one of those who was deeply troubled by the case and its implications. But I also believe that, as medical leaders, we must lead the change we want to see. So, when the GMC asked me to co-chair the review, I was pleased to accept. The report’s recommendations focused on ensuring that regulation is compassionate, supportive, local first, and fair. I was pleased that all our recommendations were accepted in full, and the GMC’s commitment on achieving the outcomes is positive. One of those recommendations, which related to improving the flexibility of decision making in low level violence and dishonesty cases, …