The UKs medical defence unions have a way for doctors to duck misconduct proceedings. It's called Voluntary Erasure http://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/registration_applications/28095.asp . The doctor applies to be erased. The most famous cases are that of Dr David Jarman in the case of R v General Medical Council Ex Parte Toth. We stood by and amused ourselves by the novel diagnosis of anxiety related to the GMC as an excuse to be erased In the good old days of the website NHS Exposed, I wrote this interesting piece http://www.network54.com/Forum/281849/message/1187721598/The+Sick+Doctor+Defence . I'm glad some of it still remains in the memories preserved by Google. It's worth reading this piece as it demonstrates the creepy way the defence unions work with the GMC and how doctors evade accountability. Recent cases include that of Dr Jane Barton http://www.academia.edu/3215736/Submission_to_the_CHRE_review_into_the_GMCs_Decision_RE_Dr_Jane_Barton . Jane, sister of Chris Bulstrode voluntarily erased herself evading further scrutiny on the Gosport Hospital case. The issue is now subject to an inquiry. Another is Sam Eljamel http://www.neurosurgery-mse.com/mse/ who merrily jumped off the register http://news.stv.tv/tayside/1328555-no-tribunal-for-professor-sam-eljamel-removed-from-medical-register/ when called to account. Other doctors have done the same .. Dr Al Zayyat accused in the Baby P case ducked the prosecution by this method too http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12429911. Having bleated about her breakdown, she escaped the UK only to be found in good old Ireland http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/baby-p-doctor-who-worked-in-ireland-guilty-of-misconduct-1.2013111. Her story ended there for now. One must remember the defence unions and Royal Colleges are complicit in their actions. The GMC isn't alone in its poor workmanship. It works hand in band with the medical profession and its establishment for its interest not the public interest.