MDU welcomes findings of independent review into Dr Arora case

The MDU today welcomed the findings of an independent review of the GMC’s handling of the case involving MDU member, Dr Manjula Arora.

Dr Udvitha Nandasoma, MDU head of advisory services, said:

“This independent review was commissioned so the GMC could see if there were lessons it could learn following its handling of the case of Dr Arora. Today’s recommendations show that there are several. The MDU robustly defended Dr Arora throughout this case, so we welcome the fact that the GMC has accepted the recommendations in full.

“The MDU exists to defend members’ interests. The findings of this report further demonstrate why it’s so important for doctors to have membership of an organisation like the MDU.

“The recommendations resonate with us as we see first-hand the extreme stress experienced by doctors undergoing a fitness to practice process. Their careers are on the line. That’s why doctors should only be put through this process where absolutely necessary.

“The MDU’s advisers defend many doctors in this position and we offer members bespoke assistance tailored to their individual circumstances, including our peer support network which links them to other doctors who have experience of having gone through a GMC investigation. As a learning organisation, we will be studying the report to see whether there is even more we can do to support doctors.

“This report from Professor Singh and Martin Forde KC is the latest in a growing number of reviews that have looked into GMC fitness to practise procedures in recent years. It follows recommendations made by the Hamilton and Williams’ reviews. All point to the need for a culture of compassionate and flexible regulation which is something we need to see.

“This is why the MDU has been campaigning so hard for legislation to reform healthcare regulation. As we have repeatedly said, doctors deserve a regulatory system that is proportionate, timely and fair. The legislation needed to modernise regulation was due to be introduced this year and was then delayed – it needs to be a top priority again.”