College welcomes publication of new independent report into the wellbeing of doctors and medical students

15 Nov 2019

The General Medical Council (GMC) have published a new independent report by Professor Michael West and Dame Denise Coia following a UK-wide review into the wellbeing of doctors and medical students.

Caring for doctors, Caring for patients identifies key factors that impact doctors’ and medical students’ wellbeing in the workplace.

The independent report sets out eight recommendations for healthcare organisations and senior leaders to help deliver safe, supportive and inclusive environments, and compassionate cultures. It also highlights innovative interventions that some organisations have already put in place to improve wellbeing.

Welcoming the publication of the report College President Professor Jackie Taylor said:

“Protecting doctors’ own wellbeing is essential to securing patient safety, so I welcome the publication of this comprehensive report into a vital issue. It’s absolutely essential that our profession is well cared-for if we’re to be able to provide top-quality care for our patients.

“Our college was delighted to get a preview of these findings from Professor West when he came to present at our conference on wellbeing in September. We look forward to continuing to engage with the authors of the report and the GMC to ensure that we continue to play our part in promoting the positive wellbeing of our membership. 

“We also call on all the political parties in the UK to get behind this report, and pledge now that they will implement the recommendations in full when a new government is formed in December.”

The review was commissioned by GMC in 2018, as part of its commitment to support a profession under pressure. In the coming months it will work with organisations from across the four countries of the UK, to discuss how they can take forward the recommendations together.

Read findings from the independent review at www.gmc-uk.org

Category: Wellbeing