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General Medical Council
04 June 2026
Lead MP
Steve Barclay
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
Standards & EthicsNHS
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Steve Barclay raised concerns about general medical council in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The MP raised serious concerns about the General Medical Council's (GMC) oversight regarding the tragic death of a nine-year-old constituent named Jack Moate. He highlighted that while an independent clinical review found evidence of fatal harm caused, no action was taken by the trust or regulatory body until years later. Steve Barclay emphasised the need for immediate protective measures from the GMC instead of waiting for coroner's processes which can take many years. He also brought up issues related to antisemitism and poor performance within the GMC, citing specific examples of doctors with problematic social media comments being allowed on the GMC specialist register despite previous reports to the GMC. Additionally, he pointed out that fitness to practise hearings by the GMC are taking almost two years on average, which can lead to families feeling aggrieved when suspended doctors continue to be paid full wages even though their fitness to practise is in question. Finally, Steve Barclay highlighted the need for regulatory bodies like the Professional Standards Authority to have greater powers.
Dave Robertson
SNP
Dundee East
The MP raised concerns about the GMC's handling of cases related to sexual abuse facilitated by Mohamed Al Fayed and his associates, with over 500 survivors coming forward. He stated that doctors accused of complicity in these abuses have not faced consequences, and called for the GMC to take action against any doctor found to have participated in such misconduct.
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged the serious concerns raised by Steve Barclay regarding the General Medical Council's oversight and handling of cases, particularly the tragic case of Jack Moate. She confirmed that an investigation into Dr Kuldeep Stohr has been launched by the GMC. The Minister also highlighted the ongoing consultation on reforming the General Medical Council legislative framework to make fitness-to-practice processes swifter and fairer. She committed to discussing further with Steve Barclay and other relevant MPs to ensure meaningful change based on Lord Mann's recommendations regarding antisemitism in the NHS. The Minister expressed her commitment to working closely with stakeholders to build a system that does right by families involved in such tragic cases.
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Assessment & feedback
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.