Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Any doctors help me with this gmc query? At wits end

46 replies

user0644933 · 15/07/2023 09:03

I have a very rocky relationship with ex DH and he is not transparent about finances, leaves me to manage our kids etc and I get by on our settlement from the divorce as well as maintenance. We were married for 7 years and we have 2 kids. He was recently in trouble with the gmc for drink driving and they have restricted his practice. He is consultant level. He was working on a temporary contract at the time of the issue with the gmc, hoping it would go permanent. The team really liked him (never heard the end of how much he was valued etc, according to him..). Anyway, since these restrictions have been imposed he’s now announced that the hospital he works for are not only not going to offer the permanent position but he may actually have to move hospitals as his job is no longer secure and he doesn’t know what’s happening. Is this a normal thing to happen if restrictions are on your practice? I am very suspicious that he’s using this to spin me a line and reduce his maintenance. Obviously I know I can go down the route of CMS and could loom up online where he’s moving to etc but I am extremely stressed right now with not knowing what’s happening. I am struggling so much to work and take care of two toddlers alone. I looked on the Gmc site and he’s been given an undertaking or something? But not a warning? Yet lots of drinking incidents means warnings so I don’t understand it. I’m not coping well as he is very difficult to deal with and I essentially gave up my career to have his children, which I am now trying to get back into. I feel quite panicked this morning and haven’t slept.

OP posts:
Faz469 · 15/07/2023 09:39

Undertakings mean they do not question his ability to keep his patients safe but want to monitor his practice for a certain period of time. As long as he follows those undertakings they are not planning on revoking his registration and want to work with him.

It's acceptable for his employer not to want to offer him a permanent position while undertakings are in place so he may well need to move hospitals in order to gain another contract be that temporary or permanent.

I'm not a doctor but that's what I understand from checking out the gmc website. Hope it helps.

Original poster
user0644933 · 15/07/2023 10:46

Thanks @Faz469 I am very stressed and can’t be sure he’s being honest

OP posts:
Walruswithbraces · 15/07/2023 10:49

Undertakings mean that they may not want to offer him a permanent post if someone without undertakings is equally good. Why bother with the extra paperwork?

He sounds like a shit though, so you're probably right to doubt everything he says. Definitely use CMS, and get a SHL as his pension will be worth something.

UnsolicitedOpinions · 15/07/2023 10:54

They wouldn’t be under any obligation to offer him the permanent post, even without the drink driving etc. It would be perfectly possible that they’d give it to someone else even without that.

I would have thought they’d be highly unlikely to give him the permanent post in his circumstances, if they had another decent candidate who wanted the job.

I would believe him about this. He sounds like an arsehole though.

BabyMoonPie · 15/07/2023 11:02

Undertakings are more serious than warnings. A warning doesn't restrict a doctor's practise but undertakings do. If his current employer can't facilitate compliance with the undertakings eg he needs supervision and they don't have staff available they wouldn't be able to employ him

Original poster
user0644933 · 15/07/2023 11:05

@Walruswithbraces what is a SHL? No I don’t believe a word he says anymore. It seems lots of doctors get warnings for drink driving so why has he got undertakings!! Doesn’t make sense. I’ve been to hell and back with the divorce and now this

OP posts:
Original poster
user0644933 · 15/07/2023 11:07

@BabyMoonPie i looked on the gmc site and drink driving usually comes with a warning? What isn’t he telling me as to why this has become undertakings? He is employed at a very large hospital at the moment so I would be surprised if they couldn’t accommodate the undertakings/restrictions? But then I’m not a doctor and don’t really understand any of it

OP posts:
Original poster
user0644933 · 15/07/2023 11:08

@UnsolicitedOpinions thank you. It’s been a horrible few years!

OP posts:
BabyMoonPie · 15/07/2023 11:12

Sanctions aren't based on the offence - they're decided on a case by case basis. Has he been to a tribunal hearing because if he has you'll be able to read the determination to see what happened

WhiteFire · 15/07/2023 11:12

The HCPC (health professions so physios etc) can strike people off the list for drink driving so there is probably a wide range of sanctions that can be applied.

There is probably a lot of other information that he hasn't admitted to. He may be a dick to you, but he might value his career more and so will protect that.

Porageeater · 15/07/2023 11:17

I’m not a doctor either but I do have a professional registration. I would not permanently employ someone in this situation. I know they are desperate for doctors but they may even prefer to sit with a vacancy than take on someone who could turn out to be a liability. So sorry for the worry this is causing you OP.

Original poster
user0644933 · 15/07/2023 11:18

@BabyMoonPie i don’t know, where could I find this out? I’ve asked him directly for the details but he won’t communicate

OP posts:
BabyMoonPie · 15/07/2023 11:21

Undertakings are usually agreed between the GMC and the doctor but can be imposed by a tribunal. The GMC investigates and presents the case but the MPTS runs the tribunal so look on their website as they list all hearings and the outcome

BabyMoonPie · 15/07/2023 11:22

MPTS is the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service

Original poster
user0644933 · 15/07/2023 11:22

@BabyMoonPie thank you. Just checked it and his name isn’t coming up so presume no hearing

OP posts:
Imperfect10 · 15/07/2023 11:36

I would suggest that you get the CMS to take the money from him...yes it costs you (and him) but your payments will be collected direct from his pay check and you will have some peace of mind...

GMC ongoings you cannot influence

but on a different note I would advise that you become as financially independent as you can.....
I was divorced with children and an ex who has been self employed and payed almost nothing for the last 11 years(£7 per week total...for 3 children) CMS worked out he should pay £340 ish pw. There is no way CMS can collect direct and I gave up. Yes it's hard but you will feel so much better the more distance and independence that you create.
You can do this and you will be ok
Use the anger and the anxiety induced energy to fuel you...not him.

RedHelenB · 15/07/2023 12:26

He's your ex. He doesn't have to tell you anything. Go to CMS for maintenance and they'll get the correct amount for you. You're wasting time and energy on a problem that isn't yours.

Original poster
user0644933 · 15/07/2023 12:30

@RedHelenB sadly it is our problem as he has two children to provide for. If he’s lost his job that is very much my problem too, regardless of my own income.

OP posts:
mintbiscuit · 15/07/2023 12:31

RedHelenB · 15/07/2023 12:26

He's your ex. He doesn't have to tell you anything. Go to CMS for maintenance and they'll get the correct amount for you. You're wasting time and energy on a problem that isn't yours.

Inclined to agree with this. Nothing to do with you.

Original poster
user0644933 · 15/07/2023 12:31

@mintbiscuit as above. With two shared children it’s very much to do with me if he’s deciding not to work.

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 15/07/2023 12:36

He isn't deciding not to work though, is he?

He's given you fair warning that he is going to remain a locum rather than have a permanent post, and that the undertakings have a significant impact on his employability should his current locum post come to an end.

mintbiscuit · 15/07/2023 12:39

user0644933 · 15/07/2023 12:31

@mintbiscuit as above. With two shared children it’s very much to do with me if he’s deciding not to work.

Yep, but you can’t control that. All you can do is pursue the money (or lack) via CMS or the courts if a financial order. In the meantime you have to look at your own finances and earning power?

don’t get me wrong. He’s clearly an arsehole but if he isn’t earning he cannot be forced to pay (assuming that’s what order states) and you need to be prepared for that.

Original poster
user0644933 · 15/07/2023 12:44

@AnnaMagnani this is what I’m saying, I’m not sure he’s being genuine about it

OP posts:
Original poster
user0644933 · 15/07/2023 12:45

@mintbiscuit yes and I earn only a tiny bit less than him, it’s more that we have two boys in private school and obviously I can’t fund that alone so it’s v stressful if he’s fucked up to this extent.

OP posts:
Gottasecretcanyoukeepit · 15/07/2023 12:53

If it states on the GMC website that he has undertakings then he has agreed undertakings with the GMC. Agreeing the undertakings would have meant avoiding a tribunal by agreeing to some kind of restrictions. Depending on the nature of what has been agreed this could be unworkable for a potential employer. I’m not sure exactly why you would think undertakings wouldn’t pose an issue? What he has told you seems very plausible.

Swipe left for the next trending thread