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Good doctors, safer patients: Proposals to strengthen the system to assure and improve the performance of doctors and to protect the safety of patients

  • Document type:
    Report
  • Author:
    Department of Health
  • Published date:
    14 July 2006
  • Primary audience:
    Professionals
  • Product number:
    276071
  • Gateway reference:
    Not required
  • Pages:
    218
  • Copyright holder:
    Crown

This report aims to create a new approach to promoting and assuring good medical practice and protecting patients from bad practice.

The Chief Medical Officer was asked to undertake this broad review of medical regulation, following Dame Janet Smith's inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the murders committed by Hyde GP, Dr Harold Shipman.

The CMO's report, Good doctors, safer patients, advises Ministers on measures to strengthen the arrangements in place for the protection of patients.

The report contains 44 detailed recommendations. Proposed changes include devolving some of the powers of the GMC to a local level, changing its structure and function, and creating a new framework for revalidation.

The Secretary of State for Health has welcomed the publication of Good doctors, safer patients and has launched a period of consultation.

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