Professor Vivien Lees, Senior Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said:

“The changes introduced by the MPTS are a welcome step forward. It is encouraging to see that the surgical and wider healthcare community has been listened to, and that the guidance is being strengthened. The real test will be in how this guidance will be applied.

“The current system of medical regulation is failing targets of misconduct. Instead of delivering justice, the system often compounds trauma, allows perpetrators to remain in positions of authority, and ultimately undermines patient care.

“Tribunal panels frequently lack the necessary training and support mechanisms for witnesses. We are hopeful that these changes will lead to better support for targets, greater accountability for perpetrators, and foster a culture of safety, respect, and integrity across healthcare.

“To protect staff, ensure patient safety, and maintain public trust, these changes must be implemented consistently and transparently, with robust education for tribunal panels and meaningful support for those going through the process – working in close collaboration with the GMC.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. Find out more about the MPTS and the new issued guidance here.
2. The MPTS run tribunal services for medical practitioners and the DPHS runs the tribunal service for those working in dentistry.  
3. Research published last month in The Bulletin of the Royal College of Surgeons of England found that in nearly one in four cases, the sanctions imposed by MPTS tribunals were more lenient than those proposed by the General Medical Council (GMC), the UK’s independent regulator for doctors.