Regulatory action against doctors that was based on now repealed homophobic laws casts a long shadow, say campaigners. They welcome a formal apology issued by the medical regulator this week but they say that LGBTQ+ doctors still face prejudice in the workplace, writes Abi Rimmer
An apology from the General Medical Council (GMC) for past regulatory action, taken against doctors who were convicted under now repealed homophobic laws, represents progress and is the result of concerted efforts by the regulator’s staff. But the historical persecution of LGBTQ+ doctors still looms large and it continues today, say campaigners.
Carrie MacEwen, GMC chair, said this week (22 February) that the medical regulator was “truly sorry” for taking regulatory action against at least 40 male doctors who, in historical cases, had criminal convictions under homophobic laws (box 1). At least eight of them were struck off the medical register.
Box 1
### The GMC apology in full
“The General Medi
After Andrew Hartle was outed by a tabloid newspaper in 1997, he was ordered to resign by the air force to comply with the British military’s ban on LGBT staff (doi:10.1136/bmj.q406).1 Hartle was able to continue his career as a doctor outside the military without professional censure, unlike at least 40 male doctors who were investigated by the General Medical Council for criminal convictions under homophobic laws that were in place in the UK into the 1980s. Legal, public, and professional harassment wasn’t confined to male doctors.
This week the GMC has apologised (doi:10.1136/bmj.q405).2 …
We’re joined by Andrew Hartle. He was a medical officer in the RAF when he was suspended then dismissed after being outed by the News of the World in 1996. He's now a consultant anaesthetist and a Trustee of the charity 'Fighting with Pride'.
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