The Professional Standards Authority's (PSA) review of General Medical Council performance for 2024/25 found that while fitness to practise timescales improved slightly they still on average took almost two years to conclude.

Udvitha Nandasoma, head of Advisory Services at the MDU, said: ‘These delays have a profound impact on the doctors involved and we see firsthand the toll this process takes on our members' wellbeing.'

The number of open old cases increased throughout the review period – with 180 cases remaining open for three years or more.

Nandasoma said this meant those already in the system were ‘left in limbo' and ‘subject to considerable stress and uncertainty'.

He added: ‘It's essential that the promised legislation is introduced next year to enable the GMC to overhaul their processes and ensure cases are resolved in a fair, timely and proportionate way. We look forward to working with the GMC to improve this process – for the benefit of both doctors and patients.'

Charlie Massey, chief executive of the GMC, said: ‘We welcome the PSA's findings, which highlight our commitment to being an effective, relevant and compassionate regulator.

‘The PSA praised our strong performance in equality, diversity and inclusion. This included our work with the NMC on new resources for maternity teams, to help them better consider health inequalities and individuals' needs, such as language and communication barriers.

‘The report further recognises the extensive engagement we undertook with stakeholders when designing the Physician Associate Registration Assessment (PARA) ahead of us regulating the profession.

‘While encouraged by these findings, we are not complacent and remain focused on continued improvements to how we support the professions we regulate, so patients receive safe, high-quality care.'

The GMC also highlighted it had met all five fitness to practise standards again this year, while the number of open old cases ‘remains within the range of the last couple of years'.