The GMC likes to present itself as untouchable; but it isn’t. The PSA exists precisely for moments like this – when a regulator has priorities other than patient safety. And it has already shown it is very interested in PA and AA regulation.

In December last year it reviewed the GMC’s performance, over the period when PA and AA regulation was introduced, and concluded that the GMC had met all of its 18 standards of good regulation.

That report, though, was astonishingly superficial. The single biggest new responsibility the GMC had taken on was waved through with barely a glance – something that is difficult to understand given what has subsequently emerged.

We believe the GMC has breached multiple PSA standards – it has

• Failed to identify and manage risks by properly consulting stakeholders.
• Failed to ensure patients receive honest, usable information.
• Inappropriately applied policies designed for doctors to non-doctors.
• Failed to address repeated concerns raised by coroners.
• Failed to implement the Leng review in any meaningful way.
• Failed to keep its own standards under review as risks became obvious.

You can read a fuller explanation on our website and the full letter from our lawyers can be downloaded from there.

We ask the PSA to look again at whether the GMC has adhered to its standards,  and this time to actually look properly.

Not at process, box-ticking and fees, but at whether the GMC has actually done what regulation exists for. Protecting patients and supporting safe medical practice.

We are grateful to all our supporters who have made this work possible. If you are able to make a further donation to us it will help us reach our goals. We are persistent and committed.