Reporting Bad Doctors

[LizzieKane2000]

Hi

Has anyone ever reported a Doctor to the GMC?

Is anyone aware of the Ian Patterson case?

I'm concerned that when we report/complain about Doctors we don't know if they have had several complaints about them before.
But one of the deciding factors for investigating a Doctor is if they have been complained about before.

There are several cases like Ian Patterson - in that of the patients knew of each others complaints he would have been stopped sooner.

Would be grateful for any discussion on this.

It's on their record on their GMC register profile if they've been / had sanctions before.

IMO D's live in fear of the GMC. Investigations are extremely stressful even if the complaint isn't upheld. The pressure can even drive them to quit (or worse) and it's not just in their professional life - this extends to a Doctor's personal life too. It's the same for nurses (NMC)

I think it would be better to raise complaints within the hospital or trust and for them to be able to investigate and check if there is a pattern. Trusts could then also share data on a National level and if anything looks strange it could be raised with the GMC. Also, if all complaints were in the public domain the public might be scared to approach certain Doctors, even though these complaints could be unfounded.
It's a really difficult one.

This guy you talk about seemed to be untouchable and I don't think it was really about the patients complaints, but rather his colleagues. And the problem there I suspect is that it's really hard to complain about your boss! You face damaging your career, especially if there is systemic bullying going on - and what if then they decide that you need investigated because the complaint is reciprocated !

I think the main problem is that people don't feel safe and protected enough to raise concerns. Which is totally wrong because the patient should come first. They might even know they should, they might even be legally obligated! I would hate for the UK to become like America where there are law-suits over every little thing. I read an article which compared the Medical field to aviation after that paediatrician who was struck of and went to prison. Both industries are involved with preserving people's lives and in the aviation industry pilots and staff are encouraged to reflect on what went wrong so they can make sure it doesn't happen again, but what it said about medicine is that there was a blame culture and people are scared to speak out so nobody learns and mistakes happen again. Really sad.

I think I read it in the Guardian or something - but it made the same point as this - www.aop.org.uk/ot/in-practice/practitioner-stories/2018/11/05/flight-risk-what-safety-lessons-can-healthcare-learn-from-aviation

I know it is referring to negligence rather than actually doing harm on purpose, but it's the general culture I think is where the issue lies.

Thanks Cycling Shark.
Patients don't look at the GMC site.

I didn't even know what the GMC was before I needed to raise concerns.

And Ian Patterson's relationship wit the GMC was not in the public domain for any of his patients to see.

@Claudia1987

IMO D's live in fear of the GMC. Investigations are extremely stressful even if the complaint isn't upheld. The pressure can even drive them to quit (or worse) and it's not just in their professional life - this extends to a Doctor's personal life too. It's the same for nurses (NMC)

I think it would be better to raise complaints within the hospital or trust and for them to be able to investigate and check if there is a pattern. Trusts could then also share data on a National level and if anything looks strange it could be raised with the GMC. Also, if all complaints were in the public domain the public might be scared to approach certain Doctors, even though these complaints could be unfounded.
It's a really difficult one.

This guy you talk about seemed to be untouchable and I don't think it was really about the patients complaints, but rather his colleagues. And the problem there I suspect is that it's really hard to complain about your boss! You face damaging your career, especially if there is systemic bullying going on - and what if then they decide that you need investigated because the complaint is reciprocated !

I think the main problem is that people don't feel safe and protected enough to raise concerns. Which is totally wrong because the patient should come first. They might even know they should, they might even be legally obligated! I would hate for the UK to become like America where there are law-suits over every little thing. I read an article which compared the Medical field to aviation after that paediatrician who was struck of and went to prison. Both industries are involved with preserving people's lives and in the aviation industry pilots and staff are encouraged to reflect on what went wrong so they can make sure it doesn't happen again, but what it said about medicine is that there was a blame culture and people are scared to speak out so nobody learns and mistakes happen again. Really sad.

I think I read it in the Guardian or something - but it made the same point as this - www.aop.org.uk/ot/in-practice/practitioner-stories/2018/11/05/flight-risk-what-safety-lessons-can-healthcare-learn-from-aviation

I know it is referring to negligence rather than actually doing harm on purpose, but it's the general culture I think is where the issue lies.

Hospitals and trusts do not want to be exposed. They will not inform the patient if there is a pattern in the Doctor's practice. When has this ever happened?

My issue with this is not the details of Ian Patterson's case.
If patients knew, that say - 6 patients had raised concerns before and they were able to be in contact with each other it could have helped stop him sooner.
Ian Patterson is not the only case of relevance here.

It is crazy to expect the hospital/trust to deal with issues transparently. And yes, I understand the politics of hospitals - nurses are scared to speak - hierarchies e.t.c?
But that is not a patients concern.

I think it's every patients duty if they have been let down to report and warn other patients.

I understand the GMC is uncomfortable for Doctors.
Thanks for the article - I can send you some from patients who's lives have been destroyed by doctors that were reported at least three times prior to their consultation?

Sorry but i absolutely do look at the GMC site and check the doctor's history out.

So if you don't look at the site, that's your decision, many people do.

I'm not looking to argue with you cycling shark.

I didn't look because i trusted doctors.

But I know of doctors who have been reported to the GMC and not been investigated.

Patients don't know if they have been reported by six female bame patients and investigations have been refused.
I think that's an issue.

Thanks for the article - I can send you some from patients who's lives have been destroyed by doctors that were reported at least three times prior to their consultation?

^ A little passive aggressive. I'm angry too! What happened in those cases was awful.

I was interested in a bit of discussion and listening to what you propose, feedback on what I said, but your retort is not constructive so i'm out.

Bye Claudia.