Commenting on the GMC’s annual equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) progress update, Chris Kenny, chief executive of MDDUS, said:
“We endorse the GMC’s statement that inequalities in medicine are not inevitable and wholeheartedly support its calls for healthcare leaders and employers to do more to address this challenge.
“Every doctor has the right to start their career on an equal footing with their peers, regardless of their background.
“Therefore, while it is encouraging to learn the GMC has made strong progress in meeting its commitment to end the disproportionate referrals of ethnic minority doctors to disciplinary processes, we are concerned to see they may yet not reach their target.
“It is frustrating to see the regulator report that ‘it’s likely that we will not know with certainty in 2026 if we’ve achieved the target’ although they express hope they will ‘be close’ to achieving it.
“The report also details ongoing inequalities in doctors’ education and training which translate into further risk of inequalities that, in some cases, can impact doctors’ entire careers.
“While there are many positive signs in this report from the GMC, it is clear the entire health system – including the GMC – must redouble efforts to address these challenges.”
Mr Kenny added: “We welcome the GMC’s commitment to work with others on the ED&I agenda and MDDUS has been pleased to play an active role in this endeavour.
“In particular we appreciated the GMC’s involvement and support of our own event in Edinburgh last year designed to bring a great focus on the need to support international medical graduates in Scotland, addressing discrimination and inequality at work.”
ENDS
The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) is a mutual organisation that protects the professional interests 70,000 doctors and dentists across the United Kingdom, offering access to indemnity, support and legal advice.
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