Doctors who are Freemasons.
Dear General Medical Council,
From my personal knowledge and information obtained from other sources, it can be stated as a fact that a substantial number of doctors are Freemasons.
Does the GMC seek to establish whether doctors are members of Freemasonry? Is there a database which would hold this information within the GMC?
Has the GMC issued any instructions to doctors regarding the influence of Freemasonry on their duties as a doctor?
What guidance exists for patients who are aware that a doctor's membership of Freemasonry is having an impact on their treatment from a particular doctor? This can result in failure to treat a patient, or deliberate mistreatment. Their are occasions when a GP and consultant can conspire to ensure a patient is either not treated, or mistreated. There are known cases of Freemason doctors acting to the detriment of patients and adverse effects are experienced.
What are the instructions issued to people who complain about failure of a doctor when Freemasonry is a factor in their mistreatment?
Yours faithfully,
Frances
Thank you for getting in touch.
We’ll get back to you as soon as we can with a further acknowledgement.
You’ll usually hear from us on the next working day, but it might take a
little longer during busy periods.
In the meantime, if you want any further information about the GMC, please
visit our website.
Thank you
Information access team
General Medical Council
Email: [GMC request email]
Telephone: 0161 923 6365
Working with doctors Working for patients
The General Medical Council helps to protect patients and improve medical
education and practice in the UK by setting standards for students and
doctors. We support them in achieving (and exceeding) those standards, and
take action when they are not met.
Dear Frances
Your information request – F16/8128/SW
Thank you for your email dated 27 April.
How we will consider your request
We’re going to look at your request under the Freedom of Information Act
2000 (FOIA). The FOIA gives us 20 working days to respond but we’ll come
back to you as soon as we can.
Who to contact
Simon Willis will be handling your request. If you have any questions you
can call him on 0161 923 6310 or email him at [1][email address].
Yours sincerely
Miss Sadie Jones
Information Assistant
[2][email address]
0161 250 6889
General Medical Council
3 Hardman Street
Manchester
M3 3AW
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Frances,
Your information access request
Thank you for your email of 27 April 2016 asking for information
concerning doctors who are freemasons. I’ve considered your request under
the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). Response to each of your
questions are as follows :-
1. Does the GMC seek to establish whether doctors are members of
Freemasonry? Is there a database which would hold this information within
the GMC?
The GMC do not ask doctors whether they are members of the freemasonry.
2. Has the GMC issued any instructions to doctors regarding the influence
of Freemasonry on their duties as a doctor?
The Good Medical Practice ([1]http://www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/index.asp) is
a published guidance to doctors on the expected standards. In respect of
your query, paragraphs 54 and 59 are of particular relevance (although
there may be others) :-
“54. You must not express your personal beliefs (including political,
religious and moral beliefs) to patients in ways that exploit their
vulnerability or are likely to cause them distress.”
“59. You must not unfairly discriminate against patients or colleagues by
allowing your personal views to affect your professional relationships or
the treatment you provide or arrange. You should challenge colleagues if
their behaviour does not comply with this guidance, and follow the
guidance in paragraph 25c if the behaviour amounts to abuse or denial of a
patient’s or colleague’s rights.”
We also expect doctors to follow our ethical guidance
([2]http://www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/ethical_g...).
3. What guidance exists for patients who are aware that a doctor's
membership of Freemasonry is having an impact on their treatment from a
particular doctor? This can result in failure to treat a patient, or
deliberate mistreatment. There are occasions when a GP and consultant can
conspire to ensure a patient is either not treated, or mistreated. There
are known cases of Freemason doctors acting to the detriment of patients
and adverse effects are experienced.
If patients have any concerns about a doctor(s), they are entitled to
report this to the GMC. Our online interactive guide “Patients’ help” sets
out the necessary information [3]http://www.gmc-uk.org/concerns/21893.asp
4. What are the instructions issued to people who complain about failure
of a doctor when Freemasonry is a factor in their mistreatment?
The GMC has published various information for those who have made a
complaint about a doctor(s) including :-
· Details of support services for witnesses -
[4]http://www.gmc-uk.org/concerns/witnesses...
· Support for complainants -
[5]http://www.gmc-uk.org/DC4553_Have_you_co...
· Getting help with making a complaint -
[6]http://www.gmc-uk.org/concerns/printable... (please refer to
the subheading “Getting help with making a complaint” which sets out
relevant information depending on your location)
Who to contact
I hope you find this information useful. If you have any queries about
this, or need anything further, please contact me on the details below.
Yours sincerely
Simon Willis
Information Access Officer
Resources & Quality Assurance Directorate
Direct Dial: 0161 923 6310
Email: [7][email address]
We work to defend the right to FOI for everyone
Help us protect your right to hold public authorities to account. Donate and support our work.
Donate Now