Doctors in The Dock

[Doc Alan]

We need them because unfortunately as Doc Alan has explained this country is incapable of producing the number of Doctors we require.

The purpose of this thread is to highlight the fact that a disproportionate number of Doctors up before the Disciplinary Panel are foreign and many of them should never have been employed by the NHS in the first place

I actually explained that - as there are at least 10 applicants for every place at UK medical schools - this country MAY have the capacity to produce the number of doctors we require, but our graduates don't wish ( and can't be forced ) into essential but unpopular specialties in undesirable locations .


Hindsight is a wonderful thing ! The Leeds graduate Dr Harold Shipman should never have been employed by the NHS in the first place . Unfortunately even he probably didn't know he would turn into the UK's worst serial killer. By the time his surviving patients, colleagues, and the GMC realised, he may well have killed well over 200 patients.


Shipman puts " doctors in the dock " into perspective. As I pointed out in another thread, some good did come out of the Shipman Enquiry. This included more accurate death certification; investigation of deaths by coroners ; regulation of controlled drugs in the community; reform of the GMC including non-medical membership ; and formation of a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service - also with non-medical membership.


Well done to the MPTS for dealing with " rogue doctors " of whatever nationality Vacancies DO arise on the MPTS both for doctors and " lay members ".


Of the 100 ( + ) recommendations in the Shipman Enquiry, revalidation ( appraisal ) to make sure doctors remain up to date and safe is CRUCIAL, in my opinion. Despite the most careful scrutiny of qualifications by the GMC and at a local level ( job interview ), mistakes may be made, and in any case doctors may fall ill or otherwise change subsequently.


Sadly I have to say NO system is foolproof in preventing another " Shipman ". But it's a good deal less likely now than previously.


As the only doctor regularly contributing to the Forum, I have to say my glass is half full, not half empty ( usually red wine ). I prefer to see the POSITIVE aspects of our NHS, with steady improvements in diagnosis and treatment of so many diseases in my 35 years' working lifetime. There have always been many inspirational doctors and other healthcare workers, of many nationalities, to encourage me in my career . But that's off-topic .

[Dedworth]

Thanks Doc ! As you say the system has improved but I feel there is still a way to go. I'm just off for some full glasses at the pub