NHS doctors referred to regulator to ‘intimidate’ whistleblowers, admits General Medical Council (GMC)

NHS doctors referred to regulator to ‘intimidate’ whistleblowers, admits GMC

Procedure weaponised against those who raise concerns over patient safety. 

The doctors’ regulator has admitted that referrals are sometimes being used to “intimidate” whistleblowers.

On Friday, Prof Dame Carrie MacEwen, the General Medical Council (GMC) chairman, acknowledged that the system for assessing doctors’ fitness to practice is being weaponised against those who raise patient safety concerns.

In a statement she wrote: “The GMC is aware that referrals to us are sometimes used to intimidate.”

She added that this misuse is “completely unacceptable, has significant consequences for doctors’ wellbeing, and puts patient safety at risk”.

The admission comes in response to an investigation by this newspaper that exposed a “playbook” of tactics used by NHS managers to silence staff who raise concerns over potentially avoidable patient harm and deaths.

Last week, The Telegraph revealed that vexatious GMC referrals are one of the main retaliatory measures used against whistleblowing doctors.

Twenty-two medics who were inappropriately referred after raising patient safety concerns said the process leaves lasting damage, with some even feeling suicidal.

Doctors told this newspaper that steps taken by their regulator to protect whistleblowers were insufficient, calling for automatic investigations of NHS managers who inappropriately target whistleblowers with referrals.

They have echoed a call from Dr. Naru Narayanan, the president of the hospital doctors’ union, who wants a new criminal offence to punish those who harm whistleblowers.

Dame Carrie also noted that the “harrowing” findings from the Infected Blood Inquiry published on last Monday included a “cautionary” warning about the consequences of not encouraging medical professionals to speak up.

“There is extensive commentary within the report about the importance of speaking up about both mistakes and near misses and a cautionary note about the need to protect those who do so from detriment to their career,” she said.

The inquiry, led by Sir Brian Langstaff, found that a failure to encourage whistleblowing in the NHS magnified the harm suffered by those infected with HIV and hepatitis C from contaminated blood products.

Dame Carrie said: “History cannot be repeated. Cultural change must be prioritised as lessons are learned from this dreadful chapter in the history of the health service, so that we as doctors take the actions we need to protect patients.”

She also accepted Sir Brian’s finding that changes made since the 1970's to encourage “speaking up” in the healthcare system have not succeeded. The Telegraph highlighted this failure in its NHS whistleblowing investigation published May 16.

The revelations came from interviews with 52 current and former healthcare professionals, including 47 doctors, who raised concerns about upwards of 170 patient deaths and nearly 700 cases of poor care. Most of the harm occurred after staff first raised concerns.

Although GMC referrals are intended to be used only when there are issues around a doctor’s conduct or capability, 25 medics reported being threatened with referrals to the GMC after whistleblowing.

In 2016 and 2017, Dr. Jasna Macanovic, a consultant hepatologist, blew the whistle over a “contraindicated” experimental procedure being carried out at Portsmouth Hospitals.

She told The Telegraph that “instead of investigating my concerns the Trust threatened me with a GMC referral because I was ‘failing to cooperate with my colleagues’.”

In many of the 22 cases where managers followed through on threats and passed their details to the regulator, doctors claim that false or fabricated information was submitted against them.

All doctors have been told they have “no case to answer”.

Mr. Peter Duffy, a whistleblower and former consultant urological surgeon awarded an MBE for services to the NHS, was anonymously referred to the GMC seven times, with the regulator always finding he had no case to answer.

He said: “The impact couldn’t have been greater. For a number of months I was a huge suicide risk and ultimately [the seventh] referral to the GMC was responsible for my decision to quickly terminate my own career years earlier than planned, in order to prevent further malicious reporting.”

Dame Carrie wrote that “safeguards” were in place “to help make sure that the referrals that come to us are fair, appropriate, and proportionate”.

“We are continuously assessing how these are working and whether further interventions are needed to prevent retaliatory or weaponised referrals,” she added.

The GMC’s main “safeguard” against malicious referrals is simply to ask the referring Trust to tick a box if the doctor in question is a "whistleblower".

But 14 whistleblowing doctors told The Telegraph that their employers simply" failed to tick the box".

Mr. Tristan Reuser, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon, blew the whistle at University Hospitals Birmingham in Jan 2017, but when Dr. David Rosser, the then medical director, referred him to the GMC, he omitted crucial information.

Dr. Rosser is one of the few NHS managers penalised for misusing the GMC referral system, receiving a warning in July 2021 for bringing the profession “into disrepute”.

Charlie Massey, GMC’s chief executive, told The Telegraph: “We are very clear that our fitness to practise processes must not be weaponised as a mechanism to deter, intimidate or punish whistleblowers.

“It’s wholly unacceptable that some doctors do not receive adequate support from their employers when raising concerns, and a system wide approach is needed to address the culture within healthcare so that all doctors and their colleagues feel confident to speak up without fear of reprisal.”

He added that the GMC supports doctors raising concerns through a confidential helpline and a specialist service created with the charity Victim Support.

Portsmouth Hospitals and University Hospitals Birmingham have apologised for errors made and stated that patient safety remains their top priority.

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Dr. Sarah Myhill reported Simon Wessely and the PACE authors (Peter White, Trudie Chalder & Michael Sharpe) to the GMC over the PACE Trial Study for "Myalgic Encephalomyelitis" (also known as Enteroviral Encephalomyelitis) and "misdiagnosed" Chronic Fatigue Syndromes

Medical Abuse in M.E. Sufferers (MAIMES) - MEPedia

M.A.I.M.E.S. (Medical Abuse in M.E. Sufferers) - The Time Has Come To End The Abuse - Dr. Sarah Myhill

MAIMES (Medical Abuse in M.E. Sufferers) SIMPLIFIED - Dr. Sarah Myhill's website

Stop The Medical Harm & Abuse of M.E. Patients (The Pace Trial Study Exposed) - Dr. Sarah Myhill

Dr. Sarah Myhill AONM 2019 Conference - Exposing Scientific Fraud: The PACE Trial Study for MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS (also known as Enteroviral Encephalomyelitis) and CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROMES

The Infection Game: Life Is an Arms Race book by Dr. Sarah Myhill and Craig Robinson released in 2018 and revised edition released in 2020

...is a practical guide to the authors’ approach to preventing, identifying and treating acute and chronic infections, built around the idea that humans are in a continual biological “arms race” with viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites and other infectious agents. The book argues that infectious processes may contribute not only to obvious infectious illnesses but also, in the authors’ framework, to a much wider range of chronic diseases, and it therefore places considerable emphasis on strengthening host defences before attempting to tackle individual pathogens. The opening section explains the immune system as the body’s “standing army,” considers how microorganisms evade immune responses and introduces the authors’ contention that infections may act as drivers or contributors to modern chronic disease. The second major section concentrates on improving resistance to infection through their recommended combination of a paleo-ketogenic diet, adequate micronutrients, sleep, efficient cellular energy delivery, support of the gut microbiome, vitamin C, iodine, herbal preparations and other lifestyle and environmental measures; this material forms the basis of what they call the “Groundhog Basic” regime. The book then turns to acute infections, presenting a “Groundhog Acute” approach and discussing respiratory infections such as coughs, colds and influenza, childhood viral infections including measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox, gastrointestinal infections, urinary-tract infections, skin infections, sexually transmitted infections, dental and oral infections, upper-gut fermentation, and fungal and yeast problems. A substantial later section deals with chronic and so-called “stealth” infections, explaining the authors’ methods for considering whether a persistent infectious burden may be present and outlining their “Groundhog Chronic” strategy. Specific organisms and syndromes discussed; include Epstein-Barr virus and other herpesviruses, Lyme disease, Bartonella, Babesia, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Rickettsia, Yersinia and other infections, together with discussion of antibiotic-associated disruption of the gut microbiome and ways the authors believe this can be reduced. The book also considers antimicrobial strategies, nutritional and herbal interventions, heat and light, the role of the microbiome, environmental exposures and practical preparations for dealing with infection, concluding with a “battle first-aid box” and recommendations intended to help readers prepare for future infectious illness. The 2020 revised material extends the infection theme into newer and emerging infections, while a companion 2020 supplement adds chapters on where new infections may originate, retroviruses and immune suppression, and pandemics with particular reference to COVID-19. Overall, the book combines infectious-disease concepts, nutrition, immune function, metabolic health, gut health and a range of conventional and complementary interventions into Myhill and Robinson’s broader model of infection management. Some of the book’s wider causal claims - for example, that infection is a major driver of many disparate chronic diseases - and some of its proposed preventive or therapeutic approaches go beyond established mainstream infectious-disease guidance, so the strength of evidence varies considerably across the subjects and treatments discussed.

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Paleo-Ketogenic: The Why and the How - Just What This Doctor Ordered book by Dr Sarah Myhill and Craig Robinson released in 2022

...is a practical nutrition and recipe book built around the authors’ paleo-ketogenic (PK) diet, which combines a very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic approach with what they describe as paleo principles - avoiding modern processed foods and concentrating on whole foods that they consider closer to a pre-agricultural human diet. Published in 2022, the book is divided broadly into the “why” and the “how.” The first part explains the authors’ reasoning for restricting carbohydrates and discusses ketosis, carbohydrate metabolism, glycogen, the gut microbiome and what they call the “upper fermenting gut,” as well as their view that excessive carbohydrate intake contributes to a range of metabolic and digestive disorders. It also explains why their version of a paleo diet generally excludes gluten-containing grains and dairy products, and discusses balancing the diet in terms of sufficient calories, protein, fats, fibre, micronutrients and seasonal variety. The authors cover practical issues involved in beginning the diet, including how they assess whether someone is in ketosis, what symptoms or changes might occur during the transition, and what they describe as diet, detox and die-off reactions. The practical section then becomes substantially more cookbook-oriented, explaining how to stock a PK pantry, prepare meals when time or energy is limited, make paleo-ketogenic alternatives to conventional baked foods and dairy products, and construct breakfasts, starters, main courses, salads, dressings, puddings and snacks. There are also sections devoted to herbs and spices, fermented foods, water and hydration, feasting and alcohol, vegetarian and vegan adaptations, the carnivore diet, fasting and weight loss, together with carbohydrate-content information, recommended kitchen equipment and a final PK checklist. Throughout the book, Myhill and Robinson connect diet with their broader ideas about metabolic health, gut function, chronic infection, toxic exposures and chronic disease, presenting the PK diet as a nutritional foundation for improving health rather than simply as a short-term weight-loss programme. The publisher describes it as a guide to making this way of eating affordable, practical and sustainable, while also providing a substantial collection of low-carbohydrate whole-food recipes. 

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The Underactive Thyroid: Do It Yourself Because Your Doctor Won’t book by Dr. Sarah Myhill and Craig Robinson released in 2023 

...is a practical and theoretical guide to hypothyroidism that argues thyroid problems should be assessed using the patient’s symptoms and overall metabolic function as well as laboratory tests, rather than relying on blood-test reference ranges alone. The book begins by explaining the signs and symptoms the authors associate with an underactive thyroid, including tiredness, feeling cold, thinning hair, low mood, constipation, changes in skin and nails, altered pulse, blood pressure and body temperature, and other features they link to slowed metabolism and impaired energy delivery. It then discusses thyroid blood testing, the limitations the authors believe exist in conventional thyroid testing, and the factors they consider important before undertaking a trial of thyroid hormone replacement. A substantial part of the book focuses on natural desiccated thyroid (NDT), also called thyroid glandular preparations, explaining the authors’ approach to introducing treatment, adjusting the dose and monitoring symptoms over time. The book also uses what Myhill calls the “adrenal gearbox” model to describe the proposed interaction between thyroid function, adrenal physiology, mitochondrial energy production and the body’s wider energy-delivery system. The theoretical section explores how and why hypothyroidism may develop, what the authors believe can happen when it remains undiagnosed or inadequately treated, and several ideas they describe as “thyroid myths.” Separate chapters discuss factors that may damage or impair thyroid function, hypothyroidism in children and women, hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis, thyroid nodules and cancer, and the role of iodine in thyroid physiology. The appendices make the book particularly practical, covering ways of accessing thyroid blood tests, different thyroid glandular preparations, the authors’ paleo-ketogenic diet, vitamin C, detoxification, their Groundhog Basic, Acute and Chronic regimes, and what they call diet, detox and “die-off” reactions, together with a glossary, references and resources. Overall, the book places thyroid function within Myhill and Robinson’s broader model of cellular energy production, nutrition, mitochondrial function and metabolic health, and presents a strongly patient-led approach to recognising and managing hypothyroidism. Some of the book’s recommendations - particularly self-directed thyroid hormone treatment, natural desiccated thyroid in certain circumstances, iodine supplementation and some of its broader metabolic and detoxification concepts - differ from standard NHS thyroid-management guidance and therefore need to be distinguished from established clinical recommendations.

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Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Long Covid: It’s Mitochondria, Not Hypochondria (Third Edition) book by Dr. Sarah Myhill and Craig Robinson released in 2024 

...is a practical guide that presents the authors’ approach to understanding, investigating and treating chronic fatigue syndromes, M.E. and Long Covid, with a strong emphasis on impaired cellular energy production and mitochondrial dysfunction as central mechanisms contributing to symptoms. 

The book sets out what the authors describe as a “road map for recovery” and discusses how problems with energy delivery, oxygen utilisation and metabolism may contribute to physical and cognitive limitations. It explores mitochondrial function in detail and links this to symptoms associated with poor energy production, while also examining diet, particularly the authors’ paleo-ketogenic dietary approach, nutritional deficiencies, supplements and their so-called “Basic Package.” Gastrointestinal dysfunction is another major theme, including discussion of the “upper fermenting gut,” altered gut function, food-related problems and strategies intended to reduce metabolic and inflammatory stress. The authors also discuss thyroid and adrenal physiology, sleep, rest, pacing, exercise, restoration and repair, alongside their interpretation of the different factors that may prevent recovery. 

Separate sections consider Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Long Covid, inflammation, immune dysfunction, allergy and autoimmunity, as well as environmental and chemical exposures such as pesticides, volatile organic compounds, prescription drugs, metals and mycotoxins. Chronic and persistent infections are also discussed, together with the authors’ approaches to reducing infectious burden and the use of antiviral, antimicrobial and antifungal treatments in selected circumstances. The book additionally covers a number of less conventional interventions, including DMSO, methylene blue, photodynamic therapy and micro-immunotherapy, as well as psychological and emotional demands that the authors believe may further deplete available energy. 

Later sections describe their proposed pattern of recovery and examine the history, terminology and politics surrounding CFS and M.E. 

The appendices contain practical material including their Basic, Acute and Chronic “Groundhog” regimes, dietary and detoxification approaches, discussion of so-called die-off reactions, commonly used blood tests, information on UK welfare benefits, support resources and the Bell CFS Ability Scale. 

Overall, the book combines the authors’ theories about mitochondrial energy failure, inflammation, infection, immune disturbance, gut dysfunction, nutrition and environmental factors into a broad treatment framework, although a number of the treatments and mechanisms discussed remain outside standard clinical practice and vary considerably in the strength of supporting evidence.

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Dr. Sarah Myhill's newest book about The GMC

Is The General Medical Council Fit For Purpose? Where the hippocratic oath has been abandoned, second opinions no longer exist, doctors are gagged and punished... and patients are suffering book by Dr. Sarah Myhill released in 2025

...is a 2026 self-published book examining the author’s long-running disputes with the General Medical Council and using those experiences as the basis for a wider critique of medical regulation, professional discipline and the culture surrounding whistleblowing in British medicine. Myhill describes approximately 25 years of GMC proceedings following 18 years of NHS work and sets out her account of the numerous investigations opened into her, including particularly detailed discussion of the 2010-2012 proceedings, her suspension and sanctions, the complaints and referrals that generated investigations, and the large public response she received during those proceedings. From there, the book broadens into an examination of how the GMC investigates and disciplines doctors, questioning whether its processes adequately distinguish genuine patient-safety concerns from referrals that may be retaliatory, malicious or intended to suppress disagreement or whistleblowing. Myhill discusses what she regards as weaknesses in regulatory safeguards, concerns about data protection, decision-making within the GMC, the qualifications and powers of officials involved in regulatory decisions, the costs of the organisation, and what she characterises as an entrenched institutional or “old boy” culture. The book also considers allegations and evidence concerning sexism, racial disparities and unequal treatment within medical regulation, as well as the psychological consequences of prolonged fitness-to-practise investigations, including the issue of doctors dying by suicide while subject to regulatory proceedings. Another major theme is the relationship between medical regulation, pharmaceutical influence and conventional prescribing practice: Myhill argues that modern medicine has become excessively focused on drug-based symptom management and that doctors who depart from accepted clinical orthodoxies can face professional pressure or regulatory consequences; these are presented as Myhill’s arguments and interpretations, rather than settled findings about the GMC or pharmaceutical industry. She additionally questions the effectiveness of doctor appraisal and revalidation, examines how regulatory structures may affect doctors’ willingness to give independent second opinions or raise concerns, and repeatedly returns to the possible consequences for patients when clinicians feel unable to challenge institutional decisions. The book is extensively documented from the author’s perspective, containing more than 250 references and an appendix describing around 30 Freedom of Information requests to the GMC, covering matters such as staffing, expenditure, decision-making roles and cases involving possible failures to comply with data-protection principles. Overall, the 266-page book is both a personal account of Myhill’s experience of professional regulation and a polemical examination of whether the GMC’s present structure and fitness-to-practise system adequately protect patients, doctors and whistleblowers; because many of its broader conclusions concern disputed questions about institutional motives, pharmaceutical influence and regulatory conduct, it is best understood as Myhill’s documented case against the existing system, supported by the evidence and references she assembles, rather than as a neutral institutional history of the GMC.

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“The GMC has withdrawn from public engagement on X (formerly known as twitter), ending direct replies on a platform where members of the public and patients could publicly question and challenge the regulator. Has the GMC withdrawn from X (formerly known as twitter) to avoid public accountability - including scrutiny from M.E. patients?”