Shipman Inquiry's Fifth Report Published
'Safeguarding Patients: Lessons from the Past - Proposals for the Future'
The Shipman Inquiry has published its fifth report today which looks at monitoring, disciplinary systems and complaints.
The Inquiry has considered:
- Whistle blowing - the opportunity available to those in positions of responsibility to report concerns or suspicions about the conduct of a medical practitioner.
- Disciplinary rules for general medical practitioners and the operation of the disciplinary processes operated within the NHS and by the General Medical Council (GMC).
- The system for monitoring the performance of general practitioners, with particular reference to those in single person practices, record keeping and prescribing.
Alexander Harris solicitors, who represent more than 180 families of the victims of Harold Shipman, commented:
"We hope that publication of this report will lead to a much needed radical reform of the systems in place to monitor, report and police medical practitioners.
After such systematic failings have come to light through the Shipman Inquiry, public confidence must be restored in the policies and procedures that were set up to protect patients.
The GMC have introduced a series of reforms aimed at restoring public confidence but for many these fall woefully short of what they need to do.
Alexander Harris are involved in a number of cases in which concern has been raised about a Doctor and where the GMC have become involved. Many of those clients feel completely let down by the process and that little action is taken upon their concerns. They have called for the regulator of Doctors to be more independent, open, transparent, accountable and user friendly.
From the evidence given at the Inquiry and in my own lengthy experience many people who wish to complain about a member of the medical profession simply do not know how to go about it. Further, when they do find out the procedures, they are cumbersome, lengthy and off-putting. The whole system for complaint management needs completely overhauling.
The GMC have given great emphasis to their increased lay membership, which is a very important step in gaining confidence. This recruitment of lay members has however focussed on candidates with experience in the field of healthcare as non-medics, rather than those whose work has involved the protection of the consumer or patient rights. This does not instil trust as they may be seen to be too closely aligned with the profession they are entrusted to regulate. Despite the evident skill and expertise of many of the current lay members, it is our belief that they do not give the patient a voice at the heart of the GMC in the sense that the public might expect from representatives of the lay community.
It is clear that public confidence needs to be restored and the GMC need to show to the public that they are there to protect patients and not doctors.
It has taken a series of tragic cases for the GMC to begin to look at the way it polices the medical profession. But for many it's too late. A radical re-think of the system is required on how best to regulate the medical profession in the future.
It is important that both members of the public and health professionals know where to go to raise concerns and complaints about doctors. One of the major suggestions for reform that we fully support is the creation of a single, fully accessible, independent portal for the receipt of all complaints about doctors.
The regulatory remit of the GMC is too wide. There is a conflict between the many roles that this one body plays, setting standards for the profession as well as acting as police, prosecution and judge. We would therefore welcome an independent investigative body as well as a separate and again independent, adjudicatory body
The GMC has been a reactive rather than a proactive organisation and needs to be replaced with a system fit to protect patients in the 21st Century. It is important that the government takes heed of the recommendations made by Dame Janet and implements them as quickly as possible so that public confidence may be restored and that members of the public can be reassured that patient safety remains of paramount concern."
Notes to Editors:
- The report will be published at 10:30am on Thursday 9th December 2004.
- Dame Janet Smith will be holding a press conference immediately after publication of the report. Please contact the Inquiry if you have further enquiries.
- All interview requests should be made to Alexander Harris' media management on 08700 77 88 77.
Related news stories
If you believe that you might have a legal claim relating to this story, please complete the online enquiry form or call 0870 024 0558. Your enquiry will be forwarded to a solicitor who specialises in this area.
If you have any comments in relation to this story, please use the online discussion forum.
This news section contains stories of interest to our clients from publicly available news sources. Where we are representing the clients referred to in the news material we will say so. Where we do not represent individuals or bodies mentioned or quoted, the inclusion of the news story in our news section is not intended nor should it be taken to imply that we act for the individual or body concerned.
Related Areas
Irwin Mitchell represented me in a road traffic accident case, which has been resolved with results better than I had expected.
Throughout the process, I had the peace of mind that one only experiences when matters are dealt with by absolute professionals. You excelled in every aspect a client would expect and often delivered above expectation. The professionalism immediately put me at east, from the start it was clear that you are dedicated and capable at the highest degree.
You combin professionalism with great understanding for the client and often made yourself available for meetings outside normal office hours. At no stage did you limit yourself to purely being the solicitor and went the extra mile e.g. managing all aspects of my medical requirements including providing a top consultant, booking appointments and arranging operations. It has been a wonderful experience havng Irwin Mitchell on my side and i would have no hestiation to recommed your services.
