ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the health procedures with respect to case and looks at alternatives. It is vital patients are protected from underperforming doctors at the same time as supporting doctors who perform well despite serious ill health. The GMC receives information about a doctor’s health from a range of sources, including concerned colleagues, the doctor’s own GP or specialist, Occupational Health department and employers. Rarely, other professionals, e.g. the police or pharmacists, contact them. The central feature of the Health Procedures is a medical assessment by experts. The examiners are asked by the health screener to provide specific recommendations on certain areas. These include whether the doctor is fit to practise, with or without supervision, on a limited basis or within certain grades or specialties.
