Your claim that “the GMC… will not act against the doctors [who had pre-signed abortion forms]” (The Tablet, 7 May) is both incorrect and misleading.
Following the Care Quality Commission’s investigation of abortion services in 2012, we conducted our own investigation into the doctors who had been identified as having pre-signed abortion forms. While the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided that a prosecution was not in the public interest, we demanded – and obtained – assurances from all the doctors identified in the inspections that they would no longer pre-sign these forms. We have also made it clear that there will be severe consequences if doctors continue with this practice.
This is a highly controversial aspect of medical practice and much has changed since the current law was passed. Dealing with that must be a matter for Parliament and society. Our role is to make sure that doctors understand what is expected from them in delivering good care and that they work within the law.
Niall Dickson, Chief Executive and Registrar, General Medical Council, London NW1
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