The General Medical Council (GMC) has written to medical schools across the UK, stressing that students should feel able to report concerns without fear of consequences, after reports that medical students are experiencing sexual misconduct and harassment.
Professor Push Mangat, the GMC’s Medical Director and Director of Education and Standards, said the reports were deeply concerning and reminded institutions of their responsibility to provide safe, inclusive, respectful learning environments, where concerns are addressed appropriately.
The letter highlights concerns that some students may feel unable to report inappropriate behaviour because they fear negative consequences for their future careers or fitness to practise outcomes. It reiterates that they must be supported to report misconduct and that raising such concerns will not raise questions about their fitness to practise.
Medical schools have been reminded to ensure that their students understand how and where to raise concerns, what support is available, how reports will be handled, and how they will be supported if they come forward.
The GMC also stressed that sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, discrimination, and abuse of power are incompatible with the professional values expected of future doctors and must be addressed appropriately where concerns are substantiated.
The GMC is currently reviewing and updating guidance on professional behaviours and student fitness to practise, reflecting the profession’s growing understanding of sexual misconduct, harassment, discrimination and abuse of power, and the need for clear expectations and effective responses when such concerns arise.
Professor Mangat said: "Every medical student should be able to learn and train in an environment where they feel safe, respected, and supported, and where they are confident that concerns will be taken seriously. The reports that have emerged are deeply concerning. No student should feel unable to speak up because they fear it could affect their future career.
"We have written to medical schools to set out our expectations and encourage continued vigilance and action. Creating cultures where students feel able to report sexual misconduct without fear is essential, and tackling sexual misconduct, harassment, and abuse of power is a responsibility shared by all involved in medical education. Everyone involved in training our future doctors has a role to play in ensuring concerns are heard, acted upon, and that students are treated with dignity and respect."
Commenting on the GMC's action on sexual misconduct, Mr Tim Mitchell, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said: “The GMC has taken an important step. The scale of the problem clearly demands collective action, and UK medical schools must urgently sign and adhere to the NHS Sexual Safety in Healthcare Charter. This is essential to embedding a zero-tolerance approach to sexual misconduct and creating safer, more respectful learning environments for future healthcare professionals.
“Sexual misconduct has no place in healthcare. Every workplace must take a zero-tolerance approach, ensuring those who come forward are fully supported and protected. RCS England is committed to tackling sexual misconduct and continues to work closely with the Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery (WPSMS) to drive reform across surgery and healthcare.
“We are calling on the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to establish a national, independent, and anonymous reporting mechanism. This must be trauma-informed and impartial, enabling NHS staff to report sexual misconduct without fear of retaliation or bias.”
