Bankside Law successfully defended a GP against allegations brought by former partners to the GMC and NHS Trust A complaint from the former partners alleged failings as to probity, clinical competence and his training skills. Our client had been expelled from his partnership. He strenuously denied the allegations by his partners and maintained the allegations were unfounded and false. After examination of patient records and a detailed and thorough response to both the Trust and the GMC (in a Rule 7 response) we were able to discredit the allegations. It was held by both organisations that there was no evidence to support the allegations and no further action was taken against our client.

John Williams commented "Partnership disputes between GPs are regrettably all too common. When they evolve into complaints to the GMC they are doubly regrettable if the evidence surrounding the allegations is weak or lacking. Paragraph 25c of good Medical Practice provides 25c. If you have concerns that a colleague may not be fit to practise and may be putting patients at risk, you must ask for advice from a colleague, your defence body or us. If you are still concerned you must report this, in line with our guidance and your workplace policy, and make a record of the steps you have taken. Unilateral action without consultation or even worse, justification and documentation of the steps you have taken  can be extremely costly to all concerned in both financial and emotional terms."