The General Medical Council is the Ultimate Bully. It has the power of professional life and death over doctors, and exercises that power in an unequal, arbitrary, unfair and inconsistent manner. They are able to get away with this in the majority of cases because their decisions can only be overturned in the high court, a course most doctors find too daunting to contemplate. So excessive is their arrogance, and incompetence, that on those occasions when they are challenged in the high court they almost always lose, as in this case today.
The comments of the judge were damning. “The judge said the GMC panel failed to address whether Prof Walker-Smith had been doing research or simply investigating symptoms to help treat children. There had been "inadequate and superficial reasoning and, in a number of instances, a wrong conclusion",
True to form that slimy little shit Dickson when questioned on the matter simply changed the subject, saying "Today's ruling does not however reopen the debate about the MMR vaccine and autism.”
No-one ever suggested such a thing. The case was about whether or not Professor Walker Smith was complicit in Wakefield’s undoubted guilt. The High court said not. The GMC are said to be “considering” reforms to hearings. Don’t hold your breath, the bastards will do nothing. They will continue to behave in the same reprehensible manner, while screwing every doctor in the land for the retention fee, or as it is otherwise known, demanding money with menaces.
The GMC is beyond reform. It is not fit for purpose. It should be abolished and replaced by a properly trained, properly qualified, and properly responsible and supervised regulatory body. It is time to get rid of this bunch of incompetent, pompous and vindictive amateurs.
I started clapping after the first line. Back when I was a bright-eyed bushy-tailed (oh I could have made SO many bad jokes about bushes there, but I decided to spare you) medical student and the MTAS thing was happening above our heads, first the BMA screwed us over, then the GMC did. BMA subscriptions we can cancel, but GMC ones we can't. Bastards.
ReplyDeleteSuperb write up Zorro.
ReplyDeleteI am back http://www.themedicaljournalistoncall.blogspot.com/ .
Of course, I have said this about the GMC for many many years. At present, it is too late, the Medical Act has become more and more powerful courtesy of the changes made by the House of Lords. Their decisions are becoming more and more difficult to challenge.
Well said... [ and I still think you are swish]
Rita
Dr Zorro, You might be very surprised and get your wish yet.
ReplyDelete"BMA subscriptions we can cancel, but GMC ones we can't. Bastards." You can cancel them, actually, Dr Rita Pal did.
ReplyDeleteYou should never cancel it once you have earned the right to have it. Never flounce off. It means they have won.
ReplyDeleteDr Rita Pal should re-subscribe and work as a doctor again. She's part of a medical family after all. She mentions her late surgeon father frequently, but there are more than just him and it's a shame she doesn't keep the family medical entity intact.
ReplyDeleteAfter what they did the GMC should offer free registration for life.
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly did they do to her?
ReplyDeleteHave you got a few hours?
ReplyDeleteYes I have. But I'd really like to know how it turned out so badly for her compared with Prof Bolsin.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of factors. I think one of the main reasons is that Steve Bolsin was a consultant in a substantive position. Rita Pal was a trainee which made her much more vulnerable and easy to attack. Even so Bolsin had to leave the country to salvage his career. Both contributed much to the concept of clinical governance but the medical profession prefers not to acknowledge that, to it's great shame.
ReplyDelete'True to form that slimy little shit Dickson when questioned on the matter simply changed the subject, saying "Today's ruling does not however reopen the debate about the MMR vaccine and autism.”
ReplyDelete'No-one ever suggested such a thing.'
The anti-vaxxers over at AOA and their associates - the pro-safe-vaxxers have suggested precisely that.
And that's not a very polite description of Dickson is it? You wouldn't use it if you were identifiable, being a health professional to boot, or so you say.
Yes, I know full well that the antivaxxers are grasping at this straw, as has been laid out in "respectful insolence" blog, but their arguments are no more logical than their previous rantings.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back ZI, both to the blog and the UK
Interestingly, those on Doctors.net.uk were largely instrumental in tarnishing everything at the GMC and causing a 30K litigation.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I did not cancel my registration. This is termed a voluntary erasure. I did not pay my subscription fees. The GMC did what they wanted to do.
Thirdly, those that support me returning back to the GMC are merely doing so because they would like me struck off. Oh and running the " your dad was a doctor" ain't gonna wash because my late father always felt the GMC were a waste of space. We know about revolving door complaints. And guess what - it ain't happening to this bunny! :).
As for the GMC, I have plans for them. All good things come to regulatory bodies who wait. There have already been multiple judgments against them and I have been behind a fair few.
On the Bolsin issue - yes, he is the hero, he is the one who survived and I am the one who died. It is probably a good thing to remember us in that order. That way, I can get on with "Life" and Steve can still try and prove himself to the world around him.
As for Dr Z - I love you :). I think its the mask! :)
Ritz
x
Dr Pal,
ReplyDeleteWhat are those plans that you have for the GMC then?
"So excessive is their arrogance, and incompetence, that on those occasions when they are challenged in the high court they almost always lose, as in this case today."
ReplyDeleteThe GMC issued a press release on March 7th 2012. It contained this statement: "In 2011, of the 34 appeals by doctors against a Fitness to Practise panel decision only 3 doctors where (sic) wholly or partially successful."
Either Dr Zorro or the GMC is making an incorrect claim about success or otherwise in the High Court when findings are challenged.
The gmc is run by lawyers for lawyers ,its a defacto law firm . It entertains frivolous and petty complaints against doctors without properly investigating because it generates business, lacking the very integrity and professionalism it demands of doctors. Lawyers as we all know have no scruples , dismissing a doctor and ruining their career is just a days work . Since regulation is required by the law it should apply to the same level of scrutiny and accountability for across the board , politicians , judges, policeman , lawyers should submit to the same rigorous fitness to practice tests. Especially as these professions have the greatest potential for abuse of authority and exploitation of the public. The GMC should be boycotted by all doctors with guts and honour. It totally lacks the confidence and respect a regulatory body ought to have.
ReplyDelete