Surgeons update bullying guidance
By Agnes Rose
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is reviewing its core standards document, Good Surgical Practice, to ensure it reflects this year’s changes to GMC guidelines and clarifies that sexual misconduct is completely unacceptable.
Mr Tim Mitchell
Mr Tim Mitchell, its president, has voiced his support for the council’s new specific guidance in Good Medical Practice on preventing bullying and sexual harassment.
Domain 4 states: ‘You must not demonstrate uninvited or unwelcome behaviour that can be reasonably interpreted as sexual and that offends, embarrasses, humiliates, intimidates or otherwise harms an individual or group.’
The addition follows a survey published in the British Journal of Surgery and reported in Independent Practitioner Today (October 2023).
Mr Mitchell said: ‘There is no place for these abhorrent behaviours in UK medicine and they bring shame to the profession.
‘We need to create a work environment where every person feels welcome, safe and protected. The GMC’s new standards send a strong message to the profession that these behaviours will not be tolerated.
‘Good Medical Practice is the foundation upon which all doctors in the UK base their practice. It provides the compass by which we navigate the ethical issues we can face in giving patients the best possible care.
‘The last decade has seen many changes in medicine and, with that, an evolving medical workforce. It is important that the profession has an up-to-date set of standards that reflects those changes.’
GMC updates have been made in five key areas: creating respectful, fair and compassionate workplaces; promoting patient-centred care; helping to tackle discrimination; championing fair and inclusive leadership; and supporting continuity of care and safe delegation.
New additions have also been made on what to do if doctors, including those in leadership and management positions, witness any forms of bullying, harassment or discrimination.
GMC chief executive Charlie Massey said focusing on compassionate, fair workplaces, where people felt empowered to speak up, paved a solid foundation for teamwork and ultimately safer care for patients.
‘Good Medical Practice sets out a collaborative and shared understanding of what is expected of doctors working in the UK. It should be a catalyst for creating supportive workplaces that will benefit patients as well as doctors and will help guide medical professionals through the challenges they face today and into the future.’