The Doctors' Association UK

17/06/2026

We have instructed solicitors and are considering next steps over the government’s plans to retain and extend the GMC’s power to appeal decisions of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS).

We’ve taken legal advice on the Department of Health and Social Care’s consultation on the draft General Medical Council Order 2026.

We’re now weighing our position alongside the British Medical Association (BMA), which has begun legal proceedings against the government over the same issue.

The draft Order proposes preserving and widening the GMC’s right of appeal against MPTS decisions, which is a significant reversal of the policy consensus reached after the Bawa-Garba case.

Following the independent Williams Review in 2018, the government accepted that the GMC’s right of appeal against MPTS decisions should be removed, in order to strengthen the independence of medical adjudication and rebuild doctors’ trust in the regulator. The draft Order abandons that commitment.

DAUK also shares the BMA’s concern that the consultation misrepresents the findings of Lord Mann’s review and fails to give consultees enough information to respond meaningfully – raising questions about whether the consultation process is lawful.

DAUK co-chair Dr Matt Kneale said: “Eight years ago, after the Williams Review, the government accepted that the GMC should lose its power to appeal tribunal decisions – the very power used against Dr Bawa-Garba, which did such lasting damage to doctors’ trust in the GMC.

“For ministers now to quietly retain and even extend that power, through a consultation that doctors say misrepresents the evidence and gives them too little to respond to, breaks that promise.

“We have taken legal advice and, alongside the BMA, we are actively considering our next steps.”

https://dauk.org/dauk-challenges-government-over-plans-to-retain-and-extend-gmcs-tribunal-appeal-powers/

17/06/2026

We've joined 12 other medical organisations in urging the government to reconsider its plan to retain the General Medical Council’s (GMC) right to appeal the decisions of its own tribunal service.

In a joint letter to Minister of State for Health, Karin Smyth MP, the coalition argues the GMC’s right of appeal risks seriously undermining the profession’s and the public’s trust in the independence of the tribunal process, and the regulator itself.

Read our letter https://dauk.org/healthcare-sector-joins-forces-to-oppose-gmcs-right-of-appeal/

Medical Protection has coordinated a joint letter to Minister of State for Health Karin Smyth MP, signed by 13 medical organisations, calling on the Government to reconsider its plan to retain the GMC's right to appeal decisions of its own tribunal service.

The GMC's right to appeal decisions made by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service is an anomaly in UK healthcare regulation and one that risks undermining trust in the independence of the tribunal process and the regulator itself.

Two independent reviews in 2018 - led by Sir Norman Williams and Dr Leslie Hamilton - recommended removing the GMC's right of appeal with both the Government and the GMC supporting that position at the time.

We argue that the right of appeal should sit solely with the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). This would avoid unnecessary duplication and complexity in the regulatory system

Read more: https://bit.ly/4egaBU1

14/06/2026

Dr Steve Taylor on the news that RD strikes have been called off due to successful negotiations

03/06/2026

The Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) has welcomed the publication of a major Parliamentary report which raises significant concerns about the growing role of Palantir in public services and the NHS.

The cross-party Science, Innovation and Technology Committee warns that the UK’s increasing reliance on Palantir has created an ‘unacceptable point of weakness’.

It highlights concerns around value for money, transparency, public trust, and the long-term strategic risks of entrusting critical public infrastructure to a single overseas technology provider.

Dr David Nicholl, DAUK committee member, said: “This is an excellent report and highlights the warnings that DAUK has been making for more than five years, that Palantir’s FDP provides poor value for money from a company with ethical values that are a million miles away from those of the NHS.”

03/06/2026

🎦 | Healthcare professionals and organisations are taking action on the climate crisis by hosting screenings of the National Emergency Briefing film.

More than 20 events have already been organised and further screenings are being added every week. Link to screenings and timings below.

02/06/2026

✍️ | “The challenge for partners is not a lack of willingness to reward staff, but the financial pressures practices are currently under.”
Our GP co-lead Dr Sarah Jacques has blogged for Nursing in Practice on the challenges for GP partners when trying to reward and retain nursing staff.

28/05/2026

The next episode of the Not The NHS Again podcast with Keep Our NHS Public is out on Friday titled PFI (Private Finance Initiative) or PPP (Public-Private Partnerships) - it’s magic or is it?

Tony Blair in the news is a reminder that his government was responsible for PFI with hospitals, schools left with huge payments for years - 70 per cent more costly than government borrowing.

Don’t miss the episode on the Not The NHS Again YouTube https://youtube.com/?si=eDOW_Ikiyopm0ptT

Here’s a little taster.

27/05/2026

Organisers of DAUK’s screening of the National Emergency Briefing Film say they are ‘delighted’ with how it was received – and are already planning a second showing.

The Doctors’ Association UK and the Greener Health and Sustainability Project hosted an online showing of the film for DAUK members and healthcare professionals interested in organising their own screenings.

https://dauk.org/dauk-hosts-screening-of-national-emergency-briefing-peoples-film/

26/05/2026

Healthcare is at the frontline of the climate crisis, placing mounting pressure on clinicians, hospitals and already stretched infrastructure.

That’s the warning from Dr Matt Lee, our sustainability lead.

Dr Lee said extreme weather events pose risks to patients and healthcare workers, and increased demand on NHS services.

It comes as the UK recorded an all-time temperature record for May two days in a row.

Dr Lee said: “First and foremost, we urge everyone to stay safe.

“As a healthcare community, now more than ever we must use our voice to advocate for climate action, for the sake of our friends, our families and our patients.

“Weather will get more extreme, more lives will be lost, and healthcare will continue to be on the frontline of the effects of climate change.”

Dr Lee called for the Government, and the new health secretary James Murray, to make tackling climate change a key policy priority.

He said: “We’ve been consistently clear that the climate crisis is a health crisis and that failure to act will and is placing massive strain on healthcare systems.

“We urge the new health secretary to make this his priority, and we are here ready to work with him to bring about change.”

https://dauk.org/the-nhs-on-the-frontline-of-the-climate-crisis/

26/05/2026

Today is the UK’s hottest May Day - for the second day in a row. Our website, Our Health, Our Planet, is full of information to help keep people safe during the

https://ourhealthourplanet.co.uk/public-safety-heatwaves/