Edward Stark
The General Medical Council (GMC) has once again proven that institutional racism is alive and well within its ranks. Two years ago, Sasha Rodoy, who had brought false claims against an Indian doctor, openly threatened the panel of judges as her case began to crumble. The panel recused itself and the hearing was dismissed, wasting millions in public funds and adding two more years to a process already delayed by five years.
Rodoy was banned from attending any future hearings due to her actions. However, recent revelations have shown that Rodoy has been working closely with the GMC on multimillion-pound compensation cases. In a shocking turn of events, she has now been invited back to attend the hearing once again, which is set to restart on Tuesday. This decision has sent shockwaves through the medical community, raising questions about the GMC’s impartiality and ethics.
This case underscores the racism that pervades the GMC. Seventy-five percent of the doctors taken to Fitness to Practice (FTP) hearings are from India or Pakistan, while white doctors face much higher thresholds for similar cases. This disparity in treatment reveals a clear bias that targets Asian doctors, ensuring they do not advance in their careers as easily as their white counterparts.
Attempts to obtain a comment from the GMC’s leadership and legal teams have been met with silence, further reinforcing suspicions that the outcome of the hearing is already determined. The hearing appears to be a mere formality, with decisions made behind closed doors well before the proceedings begin.
The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), which oversees the hearings, is a division of the GMC. Its judges are paid by the GMC, and complaints against the MPTS are handled internally by the GMC. This conflict of interest casts doubt on the fairness of the entire process and calls into question the legitimacy of the hearings.
Sasha Rodoy’s return to the hearing, despite her past misconduct, is a clear indication of the GMC’s collusion with her. In any other situation, her actions would have led to criminal charges, but instead, she has been protected by the GMC and allowed to continue influencing the case.
Asian doctors in the UK continue to face an uphill battle against a system that is stacked against them. Until they unite and demand change, the colonial legacy of the GMC will persist, hindering their progress and damaging their careers.
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