Life bans for danger doctors

The reforms come in the wake of the Shipman case

The government's clampdown on dangerous doctors will mean more are banned from practising for life.

In the wake of the Harold Shipman murder case, ministers are beefing up the powers of the General Medical Council (GMC) to deal with disgraced and incompetent doctors.

It should make it more difficult for doctors who are struck off by the GMC to get back onto the medical register.

Ministers have made it clear that they consider striking off to be a life ban, save in the most "exceptional circumstances".

And even then, they revealed today, they want to see a five-year minimum period before the doctor could try to have the ban lifted.

The government will also change the law, giving the GMC powers to suspend doctors swiftly if they are suspected of putting patients at risk.

Swift return

When a doctor is struck off, he or she can apply to the GMC to rejoin the register only ten months later.

Public concerns have been fuelled by reports that doctors struck off for offences of fraud and even sexual misbehaviour with patients have been allowed to resume practice quickly.

Mr Denham said on Friday: "Recent events have highlighted that the current system is inadequate.

"The majority of our doctors are hardworking, honest and trustworthy, but where problems arise patients need to know we will act fast to protect them."

"The GMC must genuinely exist to protect patients - it must be truly accountable and it must be guided at all times by the welfare and safety of patients."

In addition, there will be a requirement for the GMC to tell hospitals and health authorities when they suspect a doctor is unfit to practice and have launched an investigation.

Currently doctors can keep this information from their employer.

Shipman case

Although these new powers were partly prompted by the case of serial killer Dr Harold Shipman, they would have had little effect on his actions.

Even though he was investigated by the GMC and found to be abusing prescription drugs, he was not struck off.

He was only struck off at the close of the criminal case.

Currently, doctors can be disciplined for matters of conduct, such as criminal acts or sexual misconduct.

They can also be removed from the register if their clinical performance is poor and cannot be improved, or if their state of health is putting patients at risk - for example if they have a mental health problem or a drug habit.

GMC President, Sir Donald Irvine said: "The proposals outlined in this document echo the GMC's commitment and determination to operate a modern regulatory system which robustly protects patients against dangerous doctors.

"The legislation under which we operate is arcane, out of date and cumbersome.

"These proposals, when they become law later this year are an important first step in the overhaul of that framework."