The GMC: expediency before principle

doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7481.1

BMJ 2005;330:1-2 (1 January), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7481.1

Editorial

The GMC: expediency before principle

Further difficult reforms are essential

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The General Medical Council (GMC) has been submitted to a highlydetailed forensic examination and found severely wanting. Ithas broken its contract with the public—to protect patientsin exchange for the privilege of self regulation—and ifit wants to survive it must now launch into a further roundof reforms, even while those of the last few years are stillbeing implemented.

The forensic examination has been conducted by Dame Janet Smithas part of her inquiry into the issues arising from the caseof Harold Shipman, a general practitioner who murdered over200 of his patients. Her fifth and final report, which is over1000 pages long and makes 109 recommendations, examines theperformance of bodies responsible for monitoring primary careand makes recommendations on how better to protect patientsin the future.¹ I want to concentrate here on what Dame Janetsaid about the GMC.

Dame . . . [Full text of this article]

Richard Smith, chief executive

UnitedHealth Europe, 10 Greycoat Place, London SW1P 1SB (richardswsmith@yahoo.co.uk)

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Rapid Responses:

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And why not Ofdoc?: nicola J brooker
bmj.com, 14 Dec 2004 [Full text]
Helplines and complaints: ronald anderson
bmj.com, 14 Dec 2004 [Full text]
proceed with caution: Stephen F Hayes
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The hunt is on: William E. Osmun
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Separate self-regulation and patient protection: Makani HEMADRI
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A good enough revalidation system: richard rosin
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Why Panic?: Dhirendra Singh
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A small illustration of the flawed culture of the GMC: Richard Smith
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Re: A small illustration of the flawed culture of the GMC: susanne mccabe
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�Small illustrations� of a flawed culture (continued): Michael O'Donnell
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Dame Janet's critique of regulation of professions: Adrian K midgley
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Re: Dame Janet's critique of regulation of professions: Rita Pal
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Re: Re: Dame Janet's critique of regulation of professions: Dr John Rumbold
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Expediency? Length of Training?: Patrick L Xavier
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The GMC: expediency before principle: Terry J Hamblin
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The cost of expediency: Mark Struthers
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The fallout from the Shipman enquiry.: Simon J. Ellis
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The GMC: principle not expediency: Graeme Catto
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Re: The GMC: principle not expediency: Stevie M Gamble
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Re: The GMC: principle not expediency: John Stone
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The Profession and the GMC should reject the Shipman report: David H Marjot
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Re: The fallout from the Shipman enquiry.: Penny Mellor
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�84000 K and Whistleblower Rights: Pal Rita
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A contradiction in terms: Justin A B Robbins
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Re: The fallout from the Shipman enquiry.: Davina Hollisey-Mclean
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"First, do no harm".: Alex M Grieve
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Re: The fallout from the Shipman enquiry.: Mark Struthers
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Failing doctors or failing system?: Mark I Burgin
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Two Bites of the Cherry: Brian D Keighley
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Expediency before principle is common: Neville W Goodman
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the future of the GMC: stephen mccabe
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The GMC : expediency before principle: Alan Leaman
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The GMC: the wrong target in the Shipman report: Arthur Rushton
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GMC Reforms may damage the NHS: John J Turner
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BMA Chairman responds to GMC Editorial: James Johnson
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Re: The fallout from the Shipman enquiry.: deborah m henshall
bmj.com, 7 Jan 2005 [Full text]
Re: BMA Chairman responds to GMC Editorial: Nigel Dudley
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CLUB CULTURE: Rita Pal
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Response to "The GMC: expediency before principle": Sir Alexander W Macara
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Be aware of the political subtext: D Michael Davies
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Clinical accountability.: William G. Pickering
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Re: BMA Chairman responds to GMC Editorial: Stevie M Gamble
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Re: Clinical accountability.: Deborah M Henshall
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Re: Re: Clinical accountability.: Rita Pal
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Doctors and patients: shared interests: Anita M Houghton
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Re: Re: Clinical accountability.: C Kevin Connolly
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The GMC: do we want it anyway?: Kiaran Asthana
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Re: Re: Re: Clinical accountability.: Dr John Rumbold
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Re: Re: The GMC: the right target in the Shipman report: Rita Pal
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Shipman-aberrant man-aberrant reaction: Terence GOULD
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Re: Shipman-aberrant man-aberrant reaction: Stevie M Gamble
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GMC pre-emptively wash their hands of responsibility for poor practice and clinical errors.: William G. Pickering
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Professional performance, transparency and the GMC: Huw Llewelyn, et al.
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Re: Professional performance, transparency and the GMC: susanne mccabe soostevens@hotmail.com
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Re: Re: Professional performance, transparency and the GMC: Huw Llewelyn
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