The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) successfully argued at a High Court hearing on Friday that the GMC should be included in a judicial review over the fairness of the clinical skills assessment part of the MRCGP exams. The GMC will now be a defendant in the review alongside the RCGP.
BAPIO argues that the CSA is unfair because of the difference in pass rates between white UK graduates and international medical graduates.
Mrs Justice Patterson today ruled that the GMC should be included in the action because of its duty as public sector body to ensure equality. She said that it was 'arguable' that the GMC had failed to ensure equality. But she said the regulator would not have to answer claims of direct or indirect discrimination.
The RCGP, however, will face discrimination claims when the judicial review is heard, possibly as soon as February or March next year. The review is likely to last around three days.
The court heard that there are currently a total of 50 CSA cases before employment tribunals in Manchester and London. But they are not expected to be heard before the judicial review is concluded.
BAPIO’s solicitor William O'Neill, partner at Linder Myers Solicitors, said: ‘The GMC sets the standards for postgraduate medical education and training and has public sector equality duties, including ensuring that each element of its examination system is fair. We believe that it has failed to do this specifically in relation to the CSA making today’s decision the correct decision.
‘The ruling has added further gravitas to the case and we will continue with proceedings against both the RCGP and the GMC which we hope will effect a long-term positive change ensuring fairness across the examination system for all GPs, regardless of ethnicity.’
In July, the High Court granted BAPIO a judicial review against the RCGP but not the GMC.
The RCGP has rejected claims about discrimination in the MRCGP exam. A spokesman said earlier this month: ‘We take equality and diversity issues very seriously and strongly refute any allegations that the MRCGP exam is discriminatory.'
GMC acting chief executive Paul Philip said: ‘We accept today’s decision by Mrs Justice Patterson to give limited permission to include the GMC within the scope of the judicial review.
'This permission relates solely to public sector equality duty. We will look carefully at the judge’s order. We will not be commenting further on this ahead of the hearing.’
