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News
A major GMC survey of over 10,500 UK doctors found that nearly a third of SAS doctors and almost a quarter of locally employed (LE) doctors have experienced or witnessed bullying — yet most never reported it. Two-thirds believed speaking up would make no difference, and more than half feared retaliation. Internationally qualified doctors reported significantly worse experiences across the board.
A new General Medical Council (GMC) survey is shining a harsh light on workplace culture for two of the NHS's fastest-growing doctor groups. Nearly 31% of specialty, associate specialist, and specialist (SAS) doctors and 23% of locally employed (LE) doctors reported experiencing or witnessing bullying or harassment — but the vast majority stayed silent. Consultants were most frequently identified as the source of the behaviour.
The reasons for not speaking up are telling: 67% of both groups felt reporting would make no difference, while 60% of LE and 54% of SAS doctors feared adverse consequences. Internationally qualified doctors fared worse across nearly every measure, from micro-aggressions and exclusion to unequal training opportunities and intentional humiliation.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: SAS and LE doctors now make up nearly a fifth of all GMC registrants and are the fastest-growing doctor group in the UK. Their wellbeing and professional development directly impact patient care and NHS sustainability — making this a system-level issue that demands urgent action.
