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The GMC have been reluctant in the past to look at doctors in wider NHS roles, but this is an important area of practice, informed by clinical & public health knowledge. It's about time, with GP commissioning in progress.

Doctors in such positions have massive influence and can apply pressure in ways that wouldn't be credible with a lay manager, but it's no carte blanche to bully NHS colleagues and it IS a professional issue as long as they're registered to practice and employed in posts where their clinical knowledge is required. There's no point at which a doctor under such circumstances ceases to be responsible for their professional conduct, irrespective of the JD.

I welcome this step and wish that the hopeless NMC could tackle some of the issues involving RN directors and commissioners.