So I'm unsure how many people know the GMC is undergoing reform - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mann-recommendations-agreed-in-consultation-on-gmc-overhaul
The government (Wes) is quietly trying to increase GMC powers over doctors via the reg reform taking place - and with what Wes has said in the papers within last few months, I'd imagine the goal is to have some political levers when they feel the independent MPTS decisions (and interim orders) are too lenient. The same powers that Williams review (Dr Bawa Garba) case recommended the GMC should lose - recommendations the government accepted in 2018, delayed until 2023 - and has now reneged on. The press release above explains that, not only are these powers being retained, but the GMC and the PSA (the big ol' regulator of all health regulatory bodies in UK) are getting NEW powers to now appeal interim orders.
For anyone who's not familiar with interim orders - these are conditions placed on a doctor accused of X ahead of a formal investigation into whether their fitness to practise is impaired. These are precautionary and not meant to be punitive - usually risk assessed to see if a doctor is safe to continue practising whilst a formal investigation is underway - restriction of practice broadly sits in 3 areas: necessary to protect members of the public, or is otherwise in the public interest, or is in the interests of the doc themselves.
GMC is the only UK health regulator with a statutory right to appeal its own tribunal's decisions via MPTS - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12163108/
All other health regulators rely on the PSA to oversea decisions and appeal if necessary. Now the GMC will have new powers to appeal interim orders, and again NO other health regulator has the power to appeal their own interim orders...
DHSC says these new recommendations of appeal powers - that somehow override the previously accepted Williams Review recommendations are all due to Lord Mann's review as mentioned in press release above.
However, the government has not yet published the review itself, hence the justification of why the GMC and PSA are getting these powers is unclear.
- The gov has a consultation open for these changes which I recommend you respond to and encourage anyone and everyone to respond as well https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/reforming-the-general-medical-council-legislative-framework
The gov has not said whether Lord Mann review will be published before their consultation on the reg reform closes. It seems quite odd to not publish the review they are basing such contentious regulatory changes on...
This certainly wont help to build any trust with the regulator and likely will cause further tensions, but at least the GMC can't pretend they had no idea how unpopular these changes will serve to be considering it's actively going against Williams review / Bawa Garba case.
*warning* political pondering below
Is this a symptom of further erosion of civil liberties (free speech / right to protest) from Kier's Labour? Does Wes furthering his own political aspirations have something to do with it? Is this the ever growing influence of LFI and UKLFI in UK politics (Wes accepting over £30,000 from LFI - https://www.declassifieduk.org/our-friend-how-the-israel-lobby-spent-30000-on-wes-streeting/, Kier/ Labour cabinet funded by LFI - https://www.declassifieduk.org/israel-lobby-funded-half-of-keir-starmers-cabinet/
It just seems odd there's no mention of Islamaphobia from Wes's DHSC press release or in their consultations into 'other forms of racism' in the NHS. Anti-semitism is the chosen focus but Jewish doctors comprise roughly 1% of the NHS (and 0.5% of the UK population) vs Muslim doctors making up 15% - with Islamaphobia against doctors being on the rise as we're seeing increasing far right / reform rhetoric against immigrants - and by extension anyone who is not white.
Home Office figures, anti-Muslim hate crimes in England and Wales climbed to 3,199 offences in the 12 months ending March 2025 - a staggering 19% increase from the previous year. Muslims are the target in nearly 40% of all religious hate crimes, despite comprising just 6% of the population.
Example of recent islamaphobic doctor case - https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s457