The UK regulator of doctors, the General Medical Council, is investigating Barbara Hakin, national managing director for commissioning development at the Department of Health for England, over an allegation that in her previous job she prioritised national targets on waiting times at the expense of patient safety.

The investigation relates to Hakin’s time as chief executive of the East Midlands Strategic Health Authority.

Hakin is subject to the GMC’s jurisdiction because she remains on the medical register as a GP, the role she had before moving into management in 2000. The complaint was lodged by the journalists Phil Hammond, who is also a doctor, and Andrew Bousfield, who sent the GMC …