NHS Employers responds to study showing power imbalances and hierarchies are preventing doctors working effectively in teams

Responding to a General Medical Council (GMC) study showing power imbalances and hierarchies are preventing doctors from working effectively in teams Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, said: 

"We know that effective teamwork is an essential component of good and safe healthcare provision, and that there is still more to do in all parts of healthcare to improve matters. We also know that doctors are the focal point of most clinical teams, so this research from the GMC helpfully describes the views of doctors about the difficulties they sometimes face in their work with each other. 

"It also shows that we have some way to go to improve team working in one of our largest staff groups, albeit in the context of pay disputes and trade unions concerns about other smaller staff groups.  

"Employers will continue to work with their medical trade union and royal college colleagues nationally and locally to understand and address the issues raised by this important and challenging report."