Providing Testimonials for Doctors in GMC Cases

Providing a Testimonial for a Doctor in GMC Proceedings

How to Write a Testimonial for GMC Cases

How do I produce a Testimonial for a Doctor Facing GMC Proceedings?

A doctor (or anaesthesia assistant or physician assistant) will often request that colleagues and lay people provide them with a testimonial to be presented in support of their defence or mitigation case at the General Medical Council (GMC). The registrant or applicant might be requested to provide a testimonial for fitness to practise proceedings before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal (MPT) and the Interim Orders Tribunal (IOT), in registration matters, and for appeals.

The doctor or other registrant/applicant will need the writers of testimonials to comply with certain protocols:

  1. The writer must confirm that they are aware of the reasons for the testimonial and of the details of the case the doctor (or other registrant/applicant) is responding to.
  2. The writer must write ‘for the attention of the GMC/MPTS’.
  3. They must add a declaration of truth: I believe the facts stated in this statement are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
  4. The writer must sign and date the document.
  5. The writer must add their telephone number, email address, home address (and professional address where relevant), and their GMC number, if they have one.
  6. The writer will also need to comment on the matters of concern.

For further guidance in writing testimonials, see our articles:

If you require assistance in writing a testimonial, contact Doctors Defence Service (DDS) on 0800 10 88 739