Dr Salman Waqar represented BIMA at the GMC Race Equality Meeting on 17th September 2025. During the meeting, we highlighted our concerns about a hierarchy of discrimination, particularly in light of the recent rise in public displays of racism and Islamophobia. The GMC were challenged to reflect on the distinction between acceptable speech and hateful speech.

We also reiterated the importance of transparency with Interim Orders Tribunal (IOT) and Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) data, including the reasons for sanctions. These data, along with reasons for complaints to the GMC, must be publicly available. The GMC indicated they would take these points away for further consideration. We have also expressed our interest in the GMC’s work on updating their guidance on personal beliefs. Further meetings are planned to address these issues.