We use our knowledge and experience gained in assisting members with GMC investigations to feed back to GMC staff at all levels about the impact of its FTP investigations on doctors. We are constantly suggesting ways to speed up the process, to identify cases that are inappropriate for investigation as early as possible and to lessen the stress and distress they cause for doctors.

To highlight the work we do on behalf of our members to influence the legislative environment in which they work, we have added a new section to our website. The 'Our impact' pages outline such initiatives as our response to consultations on changes to guidance and legislation, our position on key issues such as fairer compensation, and the results of our efforts and the effects and benefits they have on doctors' working lives. You can visit our website to find out more about our impact and influence, with more information available in this issue.

The GMC is receptive to our input and uses this information to inform changes. A positive example is the provisional enquiry initiative it introduced over a year ago to enable its staff to judge more accurately at the initial triage stage whether a case merits further investigation. It is a good start and the GMC extended the criteria for this procedure in July, which should mean fewer doctors will be subject to formal investigation.

Of course, despite our continued efforts to improve the medico-legal environment for doctors, our members inevitably do still face complaints and claims from patients. Thankfully we have an excellent record of defending claims, as shown in our most recent annual report. Over the last year 80% of medical claims were successfully defended without a compensation payment, and in 2014 over 96% of GMC cases handled by our in-house lawyers were resolved without a formal hearing, compared to the GMC's non-referral rate for that year of 91%.

We're not alone in supporting doctors through difficult times. We have previously worked with the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund to highlight the work they do to help clinicians in need of financial support. In issue three of this journal I spoke with RMBF President Professor Parveen Kumar about the issues doctors face, and I'm pleased we're now able to highlight their Vital Signs guide. Recently updated with a new version that focuses specifically on primary care, this free guide helps doctors recognise the key stress points of their work and encourages them to get help early on if they're feeling the strain. You can read more about it here.

We are positive about the GMC's most recent report, and the fact that they are receptive to our input. It's also good to know that organisations like the MDU and the RMBF are dedicated to supporting doctors should the worst happen, but similarly we know there is still much work to be done. The MDU will continue to guide, support and defend our members' interests at every level.

Impact at every level

Dr Christine Tomkins

Impact at every level