One of the first things DZ did when he retired was to deregister from the general Medical Council, and relinquish his license to practice. There were two reasons for this. Firstly, having retired already on two previous occasions I knew how easy it was to succumb to the temptation of going back to work. I burned my boats. Secondly I was glad to escape the tyranny of the GMC once and for all.
This process was not as straightforward as I had anticipated. Applicants to deregister are sent a form to fill in, fourteen pages long. This form requires the applicant to list full details of all the places worked over the previous five years, so that they can then contact your previous employers to, essentially, solicit complaints. A last frantic attempt to try and get you for something before you slip through their fingers.
If you have spent the last five years working through agencies the number of previous employers can be quite substantial, and compiling this list becomes quite onerous. At least these days they don't charge a fee. In the past a fee was payable, meaning that someone with an unblemished record would have to pay to deregister, something he'd get for nothing if they were struck off for being a naughty boy.
I declined to play their games, and simply cancelled my direct debit, confident that, in due course, I would be erased from the register for non payment of fees. Frankly I don't give a shit how I escape their clutches. I fact they backed down and gave me voluntary erasure without their precious form. Tyrants and bullies always back off when faced with even the slightest defiance.
So, having escaped, I have had no interest in the machinations of the GMC.
Until today, when I read this article.
So they still have the ability to enrage me. Their conduct against Dr Abu-Sittah is nothing short of abominable, disgusting and reprehensible. It smacks to me of racism. What a bunch of pigs!
