In a display of brazen disregard for fairness, the General Medical Council (GMC) has broken all boundaries of professionalism and justice. Two years ago, Sasha Rodoy, who had brought baseless charges against Indian doctor, went as far as to threaten the panel of judges when the case began to crumble. In response, the panel recused itself, resulting in the case’s dismissal, costing millions of public money and extending an already delayed process by two years.
Following her misconduct, Rodoy was banned from further hearings. Yet, it has since emerged that this was nothing more than a charade. Rodoy has been working hand in glove with the GMC on multimillion-pound compensation cases, and, in a shocking twist, has been invited to rejoin the very hearing she was previously barred from. The upcoming hearing, set to restart on Tuesday, has left the medical fraternity reeling in disbelief.
The GMC’s actions lay bare the deep racial biases embedded within its processes. A staggering 75% of doctors taken to Fitness to Practice (FTP) hearings by the GMC come from Pakistan or India. The threshold for pursuing cases against these doctors is significantly lower than it is for their white colleagues. This creates a deeply unfair system that prevents doctors of Asian origin from progressing professionally while protecting local white doctors.
Efforts to contact the GMC’s CEO, legal team, and the lawyers involved have been met with complete silence. This lack of transparency only adds to the growing suspicion that the hearings themselves are a mere formality—a way to give the appearance of due process while the outcomes have already been decided.
The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), which is responsible for overseeing hearings, is itself a division of the GMC, creating an obvious conflict of interest. Judges of the MPTS are paid by the GMC, and any complaints against them are handled by the GMC as well. This setup undermines any claims of independence and reinforces the notion that the hearings are rigged from the start.
Rodoy’s reappearance, despite her prior misconduct, is a glaring example of this systemic collusion. Her actions, which should have resulted in criminal proceedings, were instead swept under the rug by the GMC, allowing her to continue influencing the outcome of Indian doctor’s case.
It’s clear that the GMC’s institutional racism is alive and well, with Asian doctors bearing the brunt of its discriminatory practices. Until these doctors unite to challenge the system, the legacy of British colonialism will continue to cast its shadow over the medical profession in the UK.