The BMJ has a very sensible comment on the GMC. See bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g59... .
Margaret McCartney: Does the GMC deserve its cu... - Thyroid UK
Margaret McCartney: Does the GMC deserve its current powers?
Jim, Members who have complained about doctors to the GMC seem to feel the response was dissatisfactory &/or dismissive. Doctors have not been supported when ill &/or underperforming and a number have allegedly committed suicide (under investigation) during onerous and protracted GMC investigations.
I'm not sure the GMC is representing patients or doctors (if that's what they're for) and it strikes me that quite a few patients and doctors don't have confidence in the GMC.
Margaret McCartney generally exhibits good sense but does appear to be fixated on evidence based medicine which isn't always successful.
Got to laugh at the tough talking in that link! The GMC were not interested in my complaint against 3 GPs despite me sending copies of correspondence and test results. They seem to be answerable to nobody and purely run a protection racquet whereby GPs pay them an annual sum for 'training'.
They have no accountability, just another power-hungry bunch of pond life that exists within the medical profession.
There was an interesting article in the Sunday Times on 5th October 2014. Sir Robert Francis, head of the Government enquiries into the mid Staffordshire NHS scandal (now a board member of the Care Quality Commission) was interviewed.
He calls for the gap between various NHS regulatory bodies to be closed and acknowledges that patients have not been listened to when complaints have been made.