§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the General Medical Council takes to eliminate racism in the exercise of its functions of professional regulation. [3258]
§ Mr. MilburnThe General Medical Council has made it clear that it is committed to a system of self-regulation of the medical profession which is open and accountable; and to procedures and processes that are fair, objective, transparent and free from discrimination.
The General Medical Council's guidance Good medical practice states that doctors "must not discriminate against colleagues, including doctors applying for posts, because of your views of their lifestyle, culture, beliefs, race, colour, sex, sexuality, or age." and the President of the Council has made it clear that the same principle must apply, and be seen to apply, to the GMC itself.
The GMC commissioned a report by the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) in 1996 which reviewed the GMC's handling of complaints against doctors. The PSI found no evidence of overt discrimination. The GMC is commissioning a further study by PSI for later this year.