I was amused by the antics of the General Medical Council in the last week. One of their psychiatrists from Leeds rolled into GMC Towers last week and exclaimed that a doctor who had passed medical school exams and had been working in the NHS for years had Asbergers :). When I was told this on the phone I burst into laughter.
Only six months ago, the doctor was accused of having a personality disorder. When the GMC felt that could not be sustained, they moved to Asbergers syndrome. Of course, there is nothing wrong with this doctor apart from the fact he sent some emails to the GMC showing up how incompetent they are. The GMC are apparently plotting to send this doctor to a Fitness to Practise hearing on the strength of inappropriate emails and storming off out of a consultants room. Fascinating!
What was even more hilarious is that the General Medical Council sent Dr Findus a form requesting that he confirm that he "understands the conditions". So, lets see, the GMC moots Asbergers syndrome then progresses forward to request that this doctor complete a form and understand complex material!? They can't have it both ways - understanding documents and having a learning disability.
This is of course real a tale from GMC Towers.
Well, I suppose it is a better tale than the junior GP who got lost one day on her way to the patient, was subsequently referred to the GMC because she could not read an A to Z. She was subsequently given various cognitive assessments and reviews by neurologists etc. Following that, she was forced to take Haloperidol despite the GMC admitting she had no problems. The GMC stated that if she did not take the Haloperidol, she would be forwarded to a Fitness to Practise hearing. The lady still remains on conditions 10 years later.
Well, this is the kind of medical regulatory body the rest of the doctors ignore. The impression is that I must in someway be fibbing or exaggerating. There is no exaggeration at all. These are from transcripts and first hand knowledge.
At 5 doctors per day going down at the Interim Order Panel, I wonder if there will be any doctors left in the NHS soon :).
Only six months ago, the doctor was accused of having a personality disorder. When the GMC felt that could not be sustained, they moved to Asbergers syndrome. Of course, there is nothing wrong with this doctor apart from the fact he sent some emails to the GMC showing up how incompetent they are. The GMC are apparently plotting to send this doctor to a Fitness to Practise hearing on the strength of inappropriate emails and storming off out of a consultants room. Fascinating!
What was even more hilarious is that the General Medical Council sent Dr Findus a form requesting that he confirm that he "understands the conditions". So, lets see, the GMC moots Asbergers syndrome then progresses forward to request that this doctor complete a form and understand complex material!? They can't have it both ways - understanding documents and having a learning disability.
This is of course real a tale from GMC Towers.
Well, I suppose it is a better tale than the junior GP who got lost one day on her way to the patient, was subsequently referred to the GMC because she could not read an A to Z. She was subsequently given various cognitive assessments and reviews by neurologists etc. Following that, she was forced to take Haloperidol despite the GMC admitting she had no problems. The GMC stated that if she did not take the Haloperidol, she would be forwarded to a Fitness to Practise hearing. The lady still remains on conditions 10 years later.
Well, this is the kind of medical regulatory body the rest of the doctors ignore. The impression is that I must in someway be fibbing or exaggerating. There is no exaggeration at all. These are from transcripts and first hand knowledge.
At 5 doctors per day going down at the Interim Order Panel, I wonder if there will be any doctors left in the NHS soon :).
1 comments:
Hi Rita,
I am beginning to seriously rethink my position as to whether doctors should bother to fight the GMC at all. It may be better to walk away as soon as the GMC announces that you will have a hearing
1 - Once a hearing has been arranged, sanctions are inevitable.
2 - Once sanctions are in place, if you do not have a job or have lost your job, you become unemployable for several reasons
3 - Modern HR forms include a question as to whether you have been ever had any investigation into your practice, warnings, conditions, sanctions, suspensions. Once you have reached such a situation - ie a hearing, HR will exclude your application at the screening stage. Your application will not even be presented to the doctors making the shortlist.
4 The MDU will not indemnify you. The MPS say it is negotiable. This may not be critical if you are working for the NHS, but it means you have no means of defending yourself against further attacks from the GMC
5 Without medical indemnity, you cannot work in the private sector, either independently, through a locum agency or in a private clinic
6 Finally and most importantly, you waste years of your life fighting for justice in a setting that has the skills of Stalinist Russia, Chinese communism and The Establishment at its disposal.
Surely it is better just to walk away? and look for an alternative career at the earliest stage before the damage has been done to your career. Let the GMC try you in your absence, but if no one turned up for a hearing, how long would the gravy train last?
The multitude of panelists, expert witnesses and lawyers would find themselves out of work, as doctors refused to be involved in this circus.
Just leave and with no one to crucify, the GMC would whither on the vine? The GMC only survives because we play its game. Perhaps we should stop playing?
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