An increase in the number of doctors referred to the General Medical Council by their medical colleagues shows the profession is moving away from being “an old boys’ club”, new research has suggested.

The analysis of referrals from the past four years found that in 2010 1,395 came from medical directors, double the number in 2007. Meanwhile, between 2009 and 2010, referrals from individuals in provider organisations increased at twice the rate of referral from members of the public.

Researchers from GfK NOP Social Research for the GMC also surveyed 94 medical directors from England and Northern Ireland and conducted in depth interviews with a further 40.

They found more than 85 per cent of medical directors surveyed had made a referral to the GMC in the last five years.

Of those who said the number of referrals they made in 2010 was higher than previous years, the main reason cited for the increase was colleagues being more likely to raise a fitness to practise issue.

GMC chief executive Niall Dickson said the overall increase in complaints did not mean standards were slipping but suggested employers were giving a higher priority to dealing with concerns.

He added: “In addition, rather than keeping quiet about problems, doctors are more likely to speak up when they see anything that could pose a risk to patient safety. And that is exactly as it should be.

“There is no cause for complacency and we know there is more to do in this area, but the system is becoming more open and we have come a long way from the idea of medicine as an ‘old boys’ club’.”

Mr Dickson also confirmed the GMC is to roll out a pilot of its employer liaison service so that from January all medical directors will have a named contact at the GMC they can go to for advice on potential referrals. They will also be able to advise on revalidation.

Director of the NHS Employers Dean Royles said the new service would help employers “navigate the appropriate referral route”.

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