GMC restricts Basildon Hospital anaesthetics training over misconduct concerns
Sexual misconduct and staffing issues are among the concerns raised by medical watchdog.
Last updated 19th Jan 2026
The General Medical Council (GMC) has imposed conditions on the anaesthetics training programme at Basildon University Hospital following serious concerns about trainee doctors and patient care.
The GMC said its intervention was sparked by failures to protect doctors in training from "sexual misconduct, misogyny and undermining behaviours" at the hospital.
Inappropriate staffing levels within the department were also highlighted as an issue by the medical watchdog.
Doctors in training are currently not working in the hospital's anaesthetics department, which is part of the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
The GMC stated that evidence of significant change would be required before conditions on the programme can be lifted and trainees are allowed to return.
The conditions include mechanisms to ensure that trainee doctors are no longer subjected to sexual misconduct, misogyny, or undermining behaviours.
The department must have appropriate staffing levels with qualified educators, according to the GMC.
The regulator also outlined the need for processes to establish a working culture where trainee doctors can safely raise concerns about patient safety, wellbeing, education, and training without fear of adverse consequences.
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."
Enhanced monitoring of anaesthetics training at the hospital trust was introduced in July 2023 to ensure action on significant risks to training and patient care.
Doctors in anaesthetics training were removed from the department by NHS England - East of England in May 2023 following what the GMC described as "serious failings affecting training quality and patient care."
Christine Blanshard, Chief Medical Officer for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We took immediate action as soon as concerns were raised by resident doctors. All staff are entitled to work in a safe, supportive, and respectful environment, and we always take action to address any poor behaviours. We have worked closely with NHS England and the GMC to make the agreed improvements.”