GMC will not seek reflective notes from third parties in course of FTP work

27 September 2018

Following the recently shared new reflective guidance, the RCPCH asked for further clarification from the GMC on access to reflective notes.

Whilst the new guidance makes it clear to doctors that the GMC does not seek their reflective notes in order to investigate a concern about them, RCPCH President Professor Russell Viner sought clarity on a possible ‘loophole’ in reference to third-party data controllers, such as medical colleges.

Professor Terence Stephenson responded in a letter saying, ‘It [the guidance] doesn’t explicitly reference third-party data controllers but I can absolutely assure you this is not a ‘loophole’.  The central question in your letter was ‘whether, in the course of its FTP work, the GMC may require third-party data controllers (such as Medical Royal Colleges) to release doctors’ reflective notes.’ We are absolutely clear that we do not seek reflective notes from third parties.’

The letters can be read in full on the RCPCH site https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/news/new-reflective-practice-guidance-published