The GMC is urging doctors, especially those in training, to provide written evidence to inform its medical manslaughter review.
The review, launched in light of the controversial case of Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba, is looking at how cases of gross negligence manslaughter (culpable homicide in Scotland) involving doctors are initiated and investigated.
The review’s working group, which includes former RCGP chair Professor Clare Gerada, will look at the ‘wider issues’ around medical manslaughter cases, including ’diversity matters’.
The working group has invited ‘the medical profession, patients and the public’ to weigh in on the review through an online questionnaire, which is open until 27 July.
Dame Clare Marx, who leads the working group, said: ‘Given the breadth of issues covered by the review we are really keen to hear from as wide a range of organisations and individuals as possible, especially doctors in training.
‘Anyone with experience, expertise or an interest in gross negligence manslaughter or culpable homicide, or in what happens following serious clinical incidents, may have insight which will help us shape our review and findings.’
She added: ‘Our questionnaire covers all the main areas we are looking into, and so there are a lot of questions. People should answer as many or as few as they wish, but the more thoughts and ideas we receive the richer the evidence from which we will be able to prepare our report.
‘We’re also keen for people to put forward views and suggestions on anything they think is relevant but that we’ve not specifically covered in our general questions.’
The review will also hear oral evidence sessions and hold workshops, including specific events for trainees, patients and the public, across the UK.
A report on the review findings is expected to be published early next year.
Junior doctor Hadiza Bawa-Garba was struck off the medical register following a controversial High Court ruling in January.
The case saw the GMC arguing that being convicted for manslaughter should be automatic grounds for striking off a doctor despite a different finding by its own tribunal.
