Pressure group Remedy UK is calling on doctors to attend a hearing in the High Court as part of its legal case against the GMC.
Remedy’s application for a judicial review into the GMC’s refusal to hold an enquiry into the fitness to practise of the doctors responsible for the Modernising Medical Careers and MTAS disasters will be subject to a hearing in the High Court on 27 July.
The hearing, which should take two hours, will enable the court to determine whether Remedy has a viable case.
Lindsay Cooke, co-chair of Remedy, said: “There is strong case law on our side and our legal team believe we can win.
“Those of you who attended the 2007 judicial review hearing will know how important it was to see so many doctors and their families there. It provides the court with tangible evidence of your concern about the issue and support for Remedy’s application. So we’re asking you, please, if you possibly can, be there.”
If Remedy succeeds in getting permission then it can go on to a substantive hearing of the case. Remedy raised over £20,000 - largely through donations from doctors - to seek a judicial review of the GMC decision. The first judge involved refused permission, so Remedy applied for an oral hearing on the issue.
Due to Remedy’s limited financial resources, the case can also only be taken forward if legal costs are capped, which is within the power of the court.
Remedy is asking doctors to let them know if they are going to attend by emailing office@remedyuk.org. Doctors can also request a poster from Remedy to advertise the hearing in their hospital.
