Section 7: The performance of other doctors

You must protect patients when you believe that a doctor’s or other
colleague’s health, conduct or performance is a threat to them.
Before taking action, you should do your best to find out the facts. Then, if necessary, you must follow your employer’s procedures or tell an appropriate person from the employing authority, such as the director of public health, medical director, nursing director or chief executive, or an officer of your local medical committee, or a regulatory body. Your comments about colleagues must be honest. If you are not sure what to do, ask an experienced colleague or contact the GMC for advice. The safety of patients must come first at all times.
If you have a serious condition which you could pass on to patients, or if your judgment or performance could be significantly affected by a condition or illness, you must take and follow advice from a consultant in occupational health or another suitably qualified colleague on whether, and in what ways, you should modify your practice. Do not rely on your own assessment of the risk to patients.
If you think you have a serious condition which you could pass on to patients, you must have all the necessary tests and act on advice given to you by a suitably qualified colleague about necessary treatment and/or modifications to your clinical practice.
You will find more advice on what to do when you believe that you or a colleague (including a health worker for whom you are providing medical care) may be placing patients at risk in our booklets ‘Maintaining Good Medical Practice’ and ‘Serious Communicable Diseases’.

 

GMC Good Medical Practice, paragraphs 23–27
The excellent GP
- is aware when a colleague's performance, conduct, or health might be putting patients at risk
- quickly, and discreetly, ascertains the facts of the case, takes advice from colleagues, and, if appropriate, refers the colleague for medical advice or local remedial action
- provides positive support to colleagues who have made mistakes or whose performance gives cause for concern
- realises when his or her own performance is unsafe, e.g. through illness
- seeks advice from a suitable colleague and follows that advice, taking any action required to reduce patient risk

The unacceptable GP
- ignores his or her own or a colleague's unsafe behaviour
- takes no advice, nor offers any to the colleague concerned
- denies or actively conceals his or her own ill health