GMC referral ‘must never be used as a weapon’, says regulator

General Medical Council

By Sarah Lowden

Fitness to practise processes “must never be used a weapon” against doctors who are trying to expose patient safety issues, the General Medical Council has said.

The regulator was responding to the findings of the Thirlwall Inquiry which found doctors who had raised concerns about Lucy Letby had been threatened with referral to the regulator.

The GMC described this as “deeply concerning”, and said doctors must feel able and supported to speak up when they believe patients may be at risk of harm.

“Those in leadership and management roles have an important responsibility to create an environment and culture where concerns can be raised and addressed safely and appropriately”, the GMC said.

It is not the first time the regulator has warned that referrals should not be used a tool to intimidate.

Other inquiries and investigations have revealed similar unacceptable actions have been made against doctors.

In 2024, the public inquiry into the infected blood scandal recommended that steps be taken to protect whistleblowers from detriment to their careers.