NHS doctors say lengthy disciplinary processes have left them feeling suicidal

Research reported by the Guardian has found that prolonged NHS disciplinary proceedings are causing significant mental health issues among UK doctors, including suicidal thoughts. The current system, described as “brutal” and “humiliating,” often feels like a “witch-hunt” to those accused of misconduct. The delay in resolving these cases exacerbates anxiety, stress, and depression, with three out of four doctors reporting mental health damage. Additionally, 88% of respondents felt anger and frustration, and many believed they were “guilty until proven innocent.”

Suspensions during investigations further aggravate the situation, with doctors feeling criminalized and isolated. Some were not even interviewed during initial investigations, only to be exonerated later. A concerning aspect revealed by the Medical Protection Society (MPS) is that half of the doctors were accused after raising patient safety concerns, suggesting a “culture of fear” where whistleblowers are targeted.

The MPS supports around 450 doctors annually facing such accusations, calling for swifter and fairer disciplinary processes to prevent a climate of fear. NHS disciplinary procedures should ideally take a few months, but data shows they often extend much longer, with some cases taking years to resolve.

Danny Mortimer, CEO of NHS Employers, acknowledges the need for policy changes to balance duty of care with fair HR processes. The complexity of managing conduct concerns for doctors, compared to other staff groups, necessitates improvements to streamline and enhance these procedures.

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