The General Medical Council (GMC) has broken all rules of fairness once again. Two years ago, during the hearing of Indian doctor, Sasha Rodoy, who had brought false claims against the doctor, openly threatened the panel of judges as her case unraveled. As a result, the panel recused itself, and the hearing was dismissed, wasting millions in public funds. This dismissal added to an already five-year delay, further prolonging an unjust process.
Rodoy was subsequently banned from attending any future hearings by the GMC, but recent revelations have shocked the medical community. It turns out that Rodoy has been working closely with the GMC on multimillion-pound compensation cases, raising serious concerns about the integrity of these hearings. Despite her previous behavior, Rodoy has now been invited back to participate in the same hearing, which is due to restart on Tuesday. This decision has left the medical fraternity stunned and questioning the GMC’s motives.
This incident highlights the racism embedded within the GMC’s procedures. Seventy-five percent of doctors who face Fitness to Practice (FTP) hearings come from Pakistan or India, while the threshold for initiating proceedings against white doctors is much higher. This demonstrates a clear bias, as the GMC appears to specifically target Asian doctors to prevent them from advancing professionally, all while protecting their white counterparts.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the GMC’s leadership and legal teams have been met with silence. This lack of response only reinforces the idea that the hearings are nothing more than a farce, with outcomes already decided before they even begin. If the GMC has already made its decisions behind closed doors, then the hearings themselves serve no real purpose other than to maintain a façade of due process.
Further complicating matters is the relationship between the GMC and the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), which is responsible for overseeing these hearings. The MPTS is not independent, as it is a division of the GMC, and its judges are paid by the same organization. Additionally, any complaints made against the MPTS are handled by the GMC itself, creating a troubling conflict of interest.
Rodoy’s return to the hearing, despite her misconduct, is a glaring example of the GMC’s collusion. In any other context, her actions would have resulted in police involvement and potential charges. Yet, the GMC has shielded her, allowing her to influence the outcome of Indian doctor’s case once again.
Asian doctors in the UK continue to be treated unfairly by a system steeped in colonial attitudes. Until they rise to challenge this blatant racism, the GMC’s unjust practices will persist, holding back an entire community of skilled professionals.