General Medical Council

Yesterday, we hosted our UK Advisory Forum, at the Voco St. David's hotel in Wales - a key platform where we bring together healthcare leaders, experts, and stakeholders to discuss key issues in healthcare. Our Chief Executive, Charlie Massey, and Chair, Professor Dame Carrie MacEwen, led discussions on the relationship between patient safety, organisational cultures, and equality, diversity and inclusion as part of our ongoing need to tackle discrimination and inequality in medicine. Key takeaways: - The discussions reinforced the importance of fostering a culture that enables healthcare professionals to deliver safe patient care, while also contributing to a sustainable workforce. - Equality, diversity, and inclusion remain at the heart of our work as a regulator and employer. Through continuous learning and working with others, we are seeing progress against the targets we've set to tackle persistent issues related to inequality, and achieve positive changes for the diverse groups we work with and for - but there is still more to do. Read about our key targets from our latest equality, diversity and inclusion report: https://lnkd.in/gutuyNKf You can also explore more about the work of our colleagues in Wales by reading our recent national report: https://lnkd.in/egVRViDq Fe gynhalion ni Fforwm Cynghori’r DU yng Ngwesty Voco St David's yng Nghymru ddoe - dyma lwyfan sy’n denu arweinwyr gofal iechyd, arbenigwyr, a rhanddeiliaid i drafod prif faterion ym maes iechyd a gofal. Fe arweiniodd ein Prif Weithredwr Charlie Massey, a’n Cadeirydd, yr Athro Fonesig Carrie MacEwen, drafodaethau ar y berthynas rhwng diogelwch cleifion, diwylliant sefydliadol, a chydraddoldeb, amrywiaeth a chynhwysiant fel rhan o'r angen parhaus i fynd i'r afael â gwahaniaethu ac annhegwch ym maes meddygaeth. Y prif negeseuon: - Fe wnaeth y trafodaethau atgyfnerthu pwysigrwydd meithrin diwylliant sy’n galluogi gweithwyr proffesiynol gofal iechyd i ddarparu gofal diogel i’w cleifion, a chyfrannu at weithlu cynaliadwy.  - Mae cydraddoldeb, amrywiaeth, a chynhwysiant yn dal i fod yn rhan ganolog o’n gwaith fel rheoleiddiwr a chyflogwr. Mae dysgu’n barhaus a chydweithio wedi ein galluogi i wneud cynnydd wrth geisio cyflawni’r targedau rydym ni wedi eu gosod er mwyn mynd i’r afael â materion sy’n ymwneud ag annhegwch, a sicrhau newidiadau cadarnhaol ar gyfer y grwpiau amrywiol rydym ni’n gweithio â nhw ac yn eu gwasanaethu. Wedi dweud hyn, mae rhagor o waith i’w wneud eto.  Darllenwch am y targedau allweddol a osodwyd yn ein hadroddiad diweddaraf ar gydraddoldeb, amrywiaeth a chynhwysiant: https://lnkd.in/gwcwvDUH Gallwch chi hefyd ddysgu rhagor am waith ein colegau yng Nghymru drwy ddarllen ein hadroddiad cenedlaethol diweddar: https://lnkd.in/gshUixXQ

We heard from Prof Bill Irish, postgraduate medical dean for the East of England, on why the national training survey is so important - and how it really can make a difference.   Check out the full blog for more insights! 👉 https://lnkd.in/etqmrqnc Be sure to complete the survey before the deadline ⏰ https://lnkd.in/gnnt6VSA

Happy #WorldAutismAwarenessDay! My name is Mich Leecy, and I’m grateful for the chance to share my story today about how my diagnosis, at the age of 24, inspired me to relearn how my brain works, and ultimately establish a successful career as a Legal Preparation Assistant at the GMC—something I once thought was out of reach. Before my diagnosis, I was working at McDonald’s, convinced that a legal career wasn’t possible for me. But my diagnosis set me on a journey of self-discovery, and two years into that process, I secured my first office—or "adult"—job, as my family likes to call it, here at the GMC. In the lead-up to my first day, I had a list of questions longer than my arm: - What do people wear to the office? - How do I talk to colleagues, doctors, or interested parties professionally? - How do I word an email without sounding rude? - How do I tell people how my brain works? - Who do I tell? Despite all my worries, I proved to myself that I could navigate this new environment—something made much easier by my lovely colleagues. Over time, as I’ve learned more about how my brain works, I’ve also adapted my work environment to bring out the best in me. Having the flexibility to work both at home and in the office has been a game-changer. To manage my energy levels, I structure my days differently depending on where I’m working. In the office, I keep my to-do list smaller and finish an hour earlier to save energy for the commute. At home, I can take on more because I don’t have to factor in travel. The biggest difference? What I have the energy to do after work. On office days, I usually unwind with my partner—reading, playing video games, or watching TV. On home-working days, I often have the energy to go to my running club or spend time with friends and family. Autism is a different way of experiencing the world, not a limitation. With the right support and understanding, I’ve been able to create a work environment where I can thrive—something I never thought possible at 19. I hope that by sharing my journey, I can help others feel more confident, no matter where they are on theirs. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that every small step—whether it’s adjusting your workday to better suit your needs or finally landing the job you’ve dreamed of—is worth celebrating. #Autism #Neurodiverse #InclusionMatters

Today we mark #InternationalTransgenderDayOfVisbility. It is an opportunity to recognise the achievements and resilience of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. It's also a reminder that visibility matters - every story shared, every voice heard, and every person seen brings us closer to a world of inclusion and acceptance. As we honour those who paved the way, we also support those who are still fighting for equality, particularly when it comes to accessing inclusive and compassionate healthcare. At the GMC, we're committed to ensuring that all individuals regardless of their gender identity receive healthcare that respects their identity, supports their transition and addresses their unique needs. We support the new guidance shared by the Royal College of General Practitioners https://lnkd.in/ev6zqr76. We also offer helpful information, advices and resources about treating transgender patients on our ethical hub - https://lnkd.in/epHz3h52 Let’s all continue to advocate for better healthcare access for the trans community and ensure that every individual can receive care with dignity, respect, and understanding #TransVisibility

As we continue to reflect on the milestone of achieving gender parity on the medical register for the first time, we’ve delved deeper into the data. While Scotland and Northern Ireland have reached parity, England and Wales are still catching up. But, with 60% of medical students in 2023 recent years being women, the future of medicine is increasingly female. From the data, we can see that 58% of licensed GPs are female and women are leading in specialties like obstetrics, gynaecology, and paediatrics. It's also great to see that female doctors are increasingly represented in surgery, ophthalmology, and emergency medicine. These milestones highlight how the medical profession is evolving, but there’s still more to do. Data helps us understand trends, identify barriers, and drive meaningful change toward greater diversity and inclusivity for all But the work isn’t done. We must continue to create supportive environments and push for more women in leadership roles 💪 Read more about what we can learn from the data in this blog from Camellia Williamson, Assistant Director for Data, Research and Insight https://lnkd.in/etX5XqwU #WomenInMedicine #GenderEquality #MedicalWorkforce

We're absolutely loving working with our current cohort of Clinical Fellows who joined us last November. Applications to join our next intake are currently open! If you're a doctor interested in an out-of-programme placement, which will enhance your clinical leadership skills, ensure to get your application in via Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management (FMLM) before this Sunday's 9pm deadline! Apply now ➡️ https://lnkd.in/emyRuBTB

Earlier this month, we shared the historic news that gender parity had been reached on the medical register for the first time ever! But how did we get here? 🤔 Join our archivist, Courtney Brucato as she takes us on a journey through history - one filled with barriers, quotas and an incredible amount of perseverance. Courtney’s retelling is a powerful reminder that progress isn’t a straight path. Oversimplifying the story risks overlooking the generations of women who fought for their place in medicine and complacency about the challenges that lie ahead You can read more about this history in the blog that Courtney has penned for our site ➡️ https://lnkd.in/esqbm-E2 #genderparity #femaledoctor #internationalwomensday

‘So you want to be a Doctor?’ I had the pleasure of participating at the annual Aspiring Medics Conference curated by the Melanin Medics Team and held at the General Medical Council. I had the opportunity to participate as a panellist speaker alongside faciliting the Sepsis Station in our medicine insight carousel segment. It was a fulfilling day sharing our experiences, advice and knowledge to this cohort of aspiring medics. It also served as a reminder of how far we’ve come on this journey in the medical field. As always, I am very grateful to be part of the Melanin Medics committee alongside this beautiful community of doctors and future doctors. ✨

Last December, I attended an Autism Awareness session run by our Learning and Organisation Development (LOD) team as part of their Neuroinclusion Festival. The festival was designed to foster an inclusive workplace where neurodiversity is central to our organisation’s everyday culture. That session really inspired me. It motivated me to work with the LOD team to raise awareness of my own neurodivergence—dyslexia. So this #NeurodiverstyCelebrationWeek, I’m really happy to have this platform to share my experiences, not just with my colleagues but with you as well. My name is Abi Bamber, and I was diagnosed with dyslexia a little later in life—at university. A lecturer, curious about the way I processed information, asked if I had ever been tested. That question led me to my diagnosis, which in many ways was a turning point. It made me rethink the things I had believed about myself and helped me unlearn some of the hurtful comments that had stuck with me over the years. It’s been almost 11 years since that diagnosis, but it’s only in the past two years that I’ve felt confident enough to talk about it openly. That change started when my eldest son began showing signs of potential dyslexia. I wanted to make sure that, if he did have it, he would get the support he needed. As I spoke to more people about my own experience, their positive reactions and reassurance helped me build confidence. I realised that dyslexia is a part of me, but it doesn’t define who I am. That said, I still sometimes find myself avoiding tasks that involve a lot of reading, especially out loud. Recently, I volunteered as a mystery reader for my youngest son’s class, and honestly, it was terrifying. Even writing this post has been a challenge. A lot of my avoidance comes from old protective mechanisms, ways I learned to shield myself from people laughing at me. But I’m pushing myself to step outside my comfort zone. Before joining the GMC as an Assessment Associate Administrator, I worked in a more practical role with minimal writing. Moving into an admin-heavy job was a real adjustment, but I’ve discovered that I’m perfectly capable of writing clear emails, contributing to procedures, and even enjoying it. My team’s patience and support have been invaluable as I’ve grown into my role. I’ve also started wearing my blue tint glasses more often, as they help me read documents more easily. I take my time, ask more questions to ensure I understand things correctly, and if I’m ever unsure how to word an email, I draft it first and ask my manager to review it before sending. Perhaps the biggest lesson I’ve learned though is this: I don’t need to be afraid of my difference because everyone is different #InclusionMatters #Neurodiversity

Continuity of care is important for all patients, but especially those who may struggle to navigate their healthcare journey or advocate for themselves. As outlined in Good medical practice, continuity is particularly important when care is shared between teams, between different members of the same team, or when patients are transferred between care providers. Dr Pritti Aggarwal is a GP partner at the Living Well Partnership, and Director for Primary Care Placements at the University of Southampton. In her blog, she talks about how changing the Living Well Partnership’s way of working to microteams has improved the practice’s continuity of care. Read the blog - https://lnkd.in/ekmKw-uz You can also sign up to the NHS Confederation's webinar for more information on improving continuity of care (19 March 2025, 12:00 - 13:00pm) - https://lnkd.in/ecZPKg5N