Why Is a GMC Ethics Course Important for Doctors Under Investigation?

Written and reviewed by Dr Shehzad Iqbal, MBBS, MRCS, MRCGP, Postgraduate Certificate in Healthcare Law and Ethics · Updated 6 November 2026

Why is an ethics course important for a doctor under GMC investigation?

The GMC’s page on what happens in an investigation says it can close a case with no further action where “the doctor has made a great effort to make sure they won’t make the mistake again”. An ethics course shows that effort: it is dated, on the subject of the concern, and gives you the words of the standard for your reflection.

The GMC’s guide for doctors says your comments on a concern are optional at first, but that they “may help us to resolve the case more quickly”. Comments that name the ethical principle, where your decision fell short of it and what you now do differently read as understanding, not as a defence.

The GMC’s decision guidance looks at whether a doctor poses a current and ongoing risk to public protection: a question about today, which evidence of what you have learned since speaks to.

Which GMC concerns does an ethics course fit?

The course fits a concern that rests on a judgement call, not dishonesty or a boundary breach:

• a patient says a decision was made without proper informed consent, or that the risks were not explained;
• information about a patient was shared when it should not have been, or withheld when it should have been shared;
• something went wrong and the patient was not told openly and promptly;
• a patient’s request was refused, or agreed to, in a way that is now questioned;

What Good medical practice (2024) asks of doctors on ethics

The GMC’s page on the duties of medical professionals lists two duties an ethics concern is measured against: “Act with honesty and integrity, and be open if things go wrong” and “Never abuse patients’ trust in you or the public’s trust in your profession.”

The detail sits in the domains:

• Domain 2, Supporting patients to make decisions: have consent or other valid authority before you examine or treat, and start from the presumption that adult patients have capacity.
• Domain 2, Being open if things go wrong: put matters right where possible, apologise, and explain fully and promptly what happened.
• Domain 4, Managing conflicts of interest: do not let your interests affect, or appear to affect, how you treat, prescribe or refer, and be open about any conflict.

Where the ethics course counts in the GMC process

The GMC’s guide Our fitness to practise processes sets out the stages:

1. Triage. The GMC decides whether the concern meets its threshold, and may make a provisional enquiry.
2. Investigation. You and your employer are told, you are asked for your comments, and evidence is gathered. This is the stage to complete the course and write your reflection.
3. Case decision. Two case examiners, one medical and one non-medical, decide between no further action (with or without advice), a warning, undertakings or referral to a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing.
4. Tribunal. If referred, an MPTS tribunal decides whether your fitness to practise is impaired and, if so, what action is needed.

The GMC can also refer you to an MPTS interim orders tribunal at any stage. The first days are covered in GMC investigation advice for doctors.

What the GMC ethics course covers

Eight sections and 21 lessons, online and self-paced: medical ethics and the GMC’s role; the four principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice; Good medical practice; consent, confidentiality and disclosure; honesty, integrity and candour; professional boundaries with a patient or a colleague; how ethical standards are breached, what follows and the remediation steps; and a closing assessment. The certificate shows the course title, the CPD hours and the date.

When a different course fits better

Match the course to the GMC’s letter:

• if the concern is about honesty, such as a claim, a declaration or a record, take Probity for Healthcare Professionals;
• if it is about a personal relationship, messages or conduct with a patient or a colleague, take Ethical Boundaries with Patients and Colleagues.

Counting the ethics course as CPD for GMC revalidation

The GMC’s revalidation guidance says you must carry out CPD every year across the whole of your practice, and that you must reflect on what you have learned. It sets no number of CPD points. A 2-hour ethics course with a dated certificate and a short reflection meets that, with or without a GMC concern.

Our GMC ethics course for an investigation, and for CPD

Courses that sit beside it

Bulk Buy covers the £79 courses: 3 for £200, 5 for £300, 10 for £500. Not sure what to take? Book a free 15-minute call or see which course do I need.

Guides that help

This guide is part of our Professional Misconduct hub, which brings together every Probity & Ethics guide and course on the subject.

The CPD courses linked from this guide, Ethics and Ethical Standards for Doctors, Probity for Healthcare Professionals, Ethical Boundaries with Patients and Colleagues and Module on Reflection, are by Probity & Ethics, written by Dr Shehzad Iqbal, CPD certified and accredited by The CPD Certification Service (provider no. 13197) and offered since 2020.

Questions and answers