GMC imposes conditions on anaesthetics at Basildon University Hospital amid concerns for trainee doctors and patients
The General Medical Council (GMC) has placed conditions on the Anaesthetics training programme at Basildon University Hospital, part of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, following serious issues relating to patient safety and the quality of postgraduate medical education.
As the regulator responsible for setting the standards of postgraduate medical training, and checking they are being met, the GMC has taken this action to address a range of issues including failures to protect doctors in training from sexual misconduct, misogyny and undermining behaviours, as well as inappropriate staffing levels within the department.
Doctors in training in anaesthetics are currently not working in the department due to the concerns, and the GMC will require evidence of change before conditions can be removed and before they can return.
Professor Pushpinder Mangat, Medical Director and Director for Education and Standards at the GMC, said:
‘We work to make sure that education and training prepares doctors to deliver good, safe patient care by setting high standards and expected outcomes.
‘We need assurance that the required standards and the conditions imposed are being met, including the creation of a working culture where doctors can raise issues openly, without fear of repercussions.’
Source: GMC, 19 January 2026