HCSA – the hospital doctors’ union has urged ministers to rein in plans to grant the General Medical Council (GMC) broader new powers and retain the controversial right to appeal against its own tribunal service.
The union also restated its opposition GMC regulation of non-medical staff and urged the rapid abolition of the “associate” title for physician and anaesthesia assistants, warning proposals which would see either in use for six months would make patient care “more difficult and less safe”.
HCSA made the calls in its formal response to the government’s proposed reforms to the regulator’s legislative framework.
Other concerns included proposals to water down medical qualification requirements for GMC board members, place tighter time limits on doctors’ window to respond to disciplinary processes, and expand the powers of the Professional Standards Authority in some areas.
An HCSA spokesman said: “After years of adversarial behaviour by the GMC which has led to a loss of faith among the medical profession, any changes to the legislative framework should aim to improve regulation for doctors and increase trust in the system.
“We therefore caution the government against plans to expand the GMC’s discretionary powers and its remit, steps which have the potential to worsen widespread mistrust in the regulator.
“We would welcome clarity on how the government will ensure the GMC’s powers are limited to its core functions around registration and fitness to practise. HCSA will continue to advocate for a proportionate and fair regulatory system underpinned by clear and effective safeguards and oversight.”
