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The General Medical Council has today issued an apology stating they are “truly sorry” for its past stance on homophobia and ultimately the historic decisions to take disciplinary action against gay doctors.

Research revealed the GMC investigated at least 40 doctors, for engaging, or attempting to engage, in consensual sexual activity and intimacy with other men. Of those 40, the archives show that eight were erased from the register, leaving them no longer able to work as doctors.

Prof Dame Carrie MacEwen, who chairs the GMC, released an apology stating:

“Homophobic laws and attitudes, that were in place into the 1980s and beyond, caused personal and professional harm. We compounded that harm when we also took additional regulatory action against those who were on the medical register. In some cases that meant the end of the practitioner’s career. For this we are truly sorry.”

Although homosexuality was partially decriminalised in the 1960s, the related criminal offences were still illegal. These offences targeted gay and bisexual men and charges were still being brought against men up until the 1990s. At the time, the GMC was under a legal obligation to investigate these offences, but as part of this apology, now recognises that this was wrong.

Whilst the apology has been widely recognised as being a very positive step, not only for those directly affected by these historic decisions but also by the wider LGBTQ+ communities, we are also reminded that plenty of work remains if we are to tackle the prejudices which are unfortunately still prevalent in healthcare organisations and society as a whole.