Guidance for doctors during Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Alongside this, their website displays guidance for temporary registration to approximately 15,000 doctors, who left the register or gave up their licence to practise in the last three years.

These clinicians have been contacted to assist with the growing pandemic, outlining the process they would follow and informing them of their right to opt out. The Secretary of State for Health can ask the GMC to grant such registration under Section 18a of the Medical Act 1983, in an emergency.

Doctors working outside their field

Whilst it is acknowledged that doctors may be working in unfamiliar circumstances or surroundings, or in clinical areas outside their usual practice; Doctors should consider the best course of action to take in these circumstances by utilising the following:

• what is within their knowledge and skills
• what support other members of the healthcare team could offer
• what will be best for the individual patient given available options
• the protection and needs of all patients they have a responsibility towards
• minimising the risk of transmission and protecting their own health.

The GMC recognises the challenges the doctors may face as the situation continues to develop. This includes the concerns about the risks to the health of the doctors when treating patients with coronavirus. Doctors should follow the current public health advice including self-isolating if they know or suspect that they are infected or are at a higher risk of infection.

Finally, all necessary steps should be taken to ensure that doctors have access to protective equipment and minimise the risk of transmission when treating patients. It is imperative that a record is kept of all decisions made and how any safety or health concerns have been handled.

The GMC continues to work with NHS England and UK’s Chief Medical Officers to provide updates and advice to all doctors as the situation develops. Click here for more information.