GMC publishes revised guidance on
reporting convictions
On 18 September 2008, the General Medical Council (GMC)
published revised guidance clarifying doctors' duty to report
criminal offences and related matters, such as anti-social
behaviour orders to their regulatory body.
Following an increase in the range of offences where offenders
may pay a fixed penalty notice rather than being charged with a
criminal offence, supplementary guidance has been amended to
provide clarification as to when doctors must inform the GMC.
The supplementary guidance states that doctors must inform the
GMC if, anywhere in the world, they: formally admit to committing a
criminal offence, are charged with or found guilty of a criminal
offence, accept the option of paying a penalty notice for disorder
at the upper tier penalty level (England and Wales) or a fixed
penalty notice under the Anti-Social Behaviour Etc (Scotland) Act
2004, receive a warning for the possession of cannabis, are given
an anti-social behaviour order, and/or have had their registration
restricted, or have been found guilty of an offence by any other
medical or other professional regulatory body.
Teresa Murphy is a barrister in Blake Lapthorn's Professional
Regulatory team. Please contact her on 0207 814 5403, or email her
at teresa.murphy@bllaw.co.uk
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