Were you charged full GMC annual fees while on maternity, parental or adoption leave? If so, DAUK wants to hear from you.
DAUK is building an evidence base for a formal challenge of the GMC’s policy on doctors’ fees during parental leave. It says the policy could be ‘indirectly discriminatory’.
Currently, the GMC annual retention fee is up to £463 and is set to rise to £481 from 1 April.
Maternity provision
Dr Matt Kneale, co-chair of the Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK), said: “This is mandatory with no option to pause and no specific maternity provision.
“Let it lapse and doctors face readmission fees, delays, and being unable to practise.”
The GMC only offers a 50% discount if a doctor’s total annual income falls below £37,000.
Dr Kneale said: “If doctors work six months before maternity leave their annual income may exceed £37,000, even if they spend the rest of the year earning a fraction of their salary or nothing at all.
Maternity pay
“So they pay the full price of £463. Which means the GMC fee is more than two weeks statutory maternity pay, which is £187 per week.
“In the unpaid phase of maternity leave, doctors are paying to maintain a registration they’re legally required to hold but can’t use.”
By contrast, indemnity providers including the MDU, MPS and MDDUS treat maternity leave as a career break and charge nothing.
Royal colleges typically waive or reduce fees, and the BMA offers a reduced rate.
Indirectly discriminatory
Dr Kneale said: “We believe the GMC’s approach disproportionately impacts women. A flat fee with an income threshold that ignores in-year income loss risks being indirectly discriminatory.”
We’re asking affected doctors to email DAUK with:
· The type of leave, such as maternity, shared parental, or adoption
· Dates. The months and years are fine)
· Whether they got any GMC discount
· And whether they were on full pay, half pay, statutory maternity pay, or unpaid
Dr Kneale added: “We’re asking for people to share their experience with us so we can build an evidence base to challenge this properly.”
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