The General Medical Council is reviewing its guidance to reflect developments across the UK’s healthcare systems and wider social changes
Doctors, physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) must speak up if they spot patient safety concerns, and healthcare leaders must act when issues are raised with them, the General Medical Council (GMC) has said as it launches a review of key guidance.
It is seeking views on two pieces of its guidance, Raising and acting on concerns about patient safety and Leadership and management.
Both pieces of guidance play roles in setting positive workplace culture standards that prioritise patient safety. They make clear the regulator’s expectations on when and how concerns should be raised, as well as how those in management positions should respond.
The regulator is ensuring the guidance reflects developments across the UK’s healthcare systems, and wider social changes, while remaining clear, relevant and helpful. It will be the first significant update since they were published in 2012.
Earlier this year, results from the GMC’s annual national training survey revealed that more than one in five trainee doctors were hesitant about escalating concerns about patient care, and GMC Chief Executive Charlie Massey warned, in a speech in September, that maternity services were at risk from harmful cultures that put “cover-up over candour” and “obfuscation over honesty”.
“Whenever we update guidance, it is important we hear views from a range of respondents. Their voices and real-life experiences will be instrumental in ensuring our guidance is clear, relevant, and helpful, and reflects the needs of everyone it affects,” said GMC’s director of education and standards, Pushpinder Mangat.
The GMC’s consultation runs until 22 January. Updated versions of the guidance are expected next year.
