GMC statement does not reflect actions

doi:10.1136/bmj.39472.786690.BE

BMJ 2008;336:232 (2 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.39472.786690.BE

Letters

Open letter to the GMC

GMC statement does not reflect actions

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

Catto says that nothing could be further from the truth thanthe perception that the General Medical Council (GMC) is somehowdetermined unfairly to persecute paediatricians involved inchild protection work (second letter). However, although theGMC made a similar response to the Guardian in April after ourarticle in Pediatrics,¹ ² a recent GMC panel in David Southall’scase produced a perverse and erroneous determination.³ We donot consider therefore that the GMC’s statement is yetreflected in its actions.

The GMC’s actions have included:

A failure to acknowledge that it was wrong in stating that Meadow’s"conduct was fundamentally incompatible with what is expectedby the public from a registered medical practitioner," giventhat Mr Justice Collins considered this conclusion "approachedthe irrational"

A failure to recognise that Meadow’sprofessional activitywas about child protection—he wascalled as a witnessin the criminal case because of his expertisein . . . [Full text of this article]

John Bridson, chair

¹ Professionals Against Child Abuse, Childhealth Advocacy International, Nottingham NG1 5BB

john.bridson@doctors.org.uk