In a letter to health and social care secretary Wes Streeting, shared exclusively with HM, the MDU said the proposal included in GMC reforms published in March amounted to a ‘complete policy reversal' on promises by successive Governments that they would remove the regulator's right of appeal over tribunal decisions.

Thomas C J Reynolds, executive director – policy & communications, wrote: ‘I urge the Government to think again. The MDU enjoys a strong working relationship with your department and the GMC. This is something we value enormously. We want to work with you, the GMC and our colleagues in other healthcare organisations to fix this.'

The MDU said much of the consultation on reforms was ‘welcome' including the recognition of health concerns in the fitness to practise process but added the retainment of the GMC right of appeal ‘deserves a spotlight being shined upon it'.

Reynolds concluded: ‘I urge the Government, in the strongest possible terms, to change course. The GMC should lose its right of appeal over MPTS decisions.'