BMJ  2007;334:451 (3 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.39136.412569.AD

Feature

Will we be getting good doctors and safer patients?

Patient Concern, PO Box 23732, London SW5 9FY

Last week, the Department of Health announced its plans for reforming regulation of doctors. The BMJ asked some of those affected for their opinions

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

Patients trust and respect the great majority of doctors and appreciate the skilful care they receive. We are tired of headlines exposing the few who let down the profession and shake our confidence. The measures in the government's white paper should ensure that doctors have an opportunity to show their expertise while patients can be assured that any doctor they consult is competent and deserving of their trust.

Self regulation has produced some spectacular failures: Harold Shipman, Bristol, Rodney Ledward, Richard Neale, William Kerr etc. Probably no one believes that another Shipman is lurking, but as Lesley Southgate, past president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, told the Shipman inquiry: "There are doctors out there who are harming patients." It is time for change.

Patients have long believed that the General Medical Council looked after its own. Doctors finance it and therefore they expect its support. Up to now . . . [Full text of this article]

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