How to Complain About a Doctor and Report to the General Medical Council

The General Medical Council (GMC) is responsible for ensuring that Doctors in the England and Wales meet the standards required of good medical practise. The role of the General Medical Council is to:-

1. To keep an up to date register of qualified doctors/ consultants

2. To foster good standards of medical practice

3. To promote high standards of medical education

4. To deal fairly and firmly with Doctors or Consultants whose Fitness to Practise is in doubt.

The GMC does not deal with complaints against nurses, pharmacists, dentists, ophticians, physiotherapists or administration staff. These professions have their own governing body whom concerns should be reported to.

The law gives the GMC the authority to enforce their functions under the Medical Act 1983 and Fitness to Practise Rules 2004. All Doctors and Consultants within the UK are required to be registered with the GMC. This includes foreign doctors who trained and qualified abroad. There are currently 225,000 doctors registered on the GMC.

If a patient has concerns over medical treatment provided by a doctor such as:-

A. Serious or repeated mistakes in carrying our medical procedures

B. Prescribing drugs in a dangerous way

C. Failing to examine a patient properly

D. Fraud/ dishonesty

E. Breach of patient confidentiality

F. The Dr has committed a Criminal offence

they can report the doctor to the GMC for investigation.

Upon receiving the complaint the GMC will undertake an investigation which will include speaking to patients, witnesses and the doctor. Medical records and other documents will be reviewed. The findings will then be reviewed by two case workers (one medically qualified and one non-medically qualified). If the case workers believe there has been inappropriate action by the doctor they have the power to order:-

1. The doctor be given a warning

2. Conditions be placed on the Doctors registration so they are only allowed to work under supervision or in certain practise areas.

3. The doctor receive training

4. The doctor be suspended from the register for a period of time

5. The doctor be removed from the registrar (struck off) and thereby making it unlawful for them to practise as a doctor.

If you have concerns regarding a doctors record a search can be undertaken online at the GMC website to check the registration status of the doctor. If the Doctor has been investigated by the GMC it will show any current or historical warnings, restrictions or undertakings on the Doctor's registration.

If you have concerns about treatment provided by a doctor or consultant which has resulted in you suffering an injury, you may be entitled to compensation. The GMC cannot order a doctor to pay you compensation. Head injury UK have a specialist medical accidents department which advises client effected by head or brain injuries that are caused by medical error or neglect. Contact us on 0800 073 0988 for a free consultation as to whether you may be entitled to compensation.

Head Injury UK are Specilist lawyers who offer free advice where there are concerns over medical treatment provided by a Doctor or Consultant. We will explain the legal process on what can be done to investigate the Doctor. We will assess free of charge whether you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us to for a free consultation with one of our lawyers to see if we can help you - free of charge and with no obligation http://headinjuryuk.com/contact.html or call 0800 073 0988.

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