DOCTORS in Scotland have accused the General Medical Council of creating a "climate of fear" for the medical profession.
Concern is being raised that the body, which registers doctors, is investigating more complaints about medics and handing out tougher sanctions.
The doctors are warning that this can make medics more cautious in a way which can disadvantage the NHS and patient care.
A British Medical Association conference of GPs from across Scotland will hear the concerns in Glasgow today.
Dr John Ip, a Paisley GP, said: "There is a sense from doctors and GPs that the GMC is expanding their operations. They are investigating a lot more, striking off doctors a lot more.
"Even with the GMC's own figures and evidence (you can see) it is not because the quality of care is going down.
"What they are doing in taking this approach is creating a climate of fear amongst GPs and hospital doctors."
When doctors are anxious they are more likely to refer people to hospital, carry out unnecessary tests and "over prescribe" medication, according to Dr Ip. He also said some doctors, particularly surgeons, might avoid complicated cases because they were not willing to take a risk.
The way the GMC deals with doctors who are suffering from mental health problems, such as depression or addictions, will also be criticised as "intrusive and inhumane" at the conference.
Last year an independent review, commissioned by the GMC, looked into the number of doctors who took their own lives while their fitness to practise medicine was being investigated. Between 2005 and 2013 there were 28 suicides.
The review found letters sent out to doctors by the GMC did not show compassion or reflect that some doctors' fitness to work was being assessed for health reasons rather than professional negligence.
The length of time it can take the GMC to conduct an inquiry was also raised as a problem - with the colleague of one doctor who died feeling a swifter response may have prevented the suicide.
Dr Ip said: "I have spoken to doctors who have been involved in GMC fitness to practise procedures and found it extremely stressful and extremely slow as well."
The GMC said despite a huge rise in the number of complaints they receive, the number of doctors they remove from the register or suspend has not increased and the time it takes them to deal with complaints has reduced - although it is still too long.
Niall Dickson, chief executive of the GMC, said: "Being under investigation is stressful for doctors, just as it is for all other health professionals.
"It is hard to see how that can be avoided altogether. We have to investigate concerns that are brought to our attention but we recognise that we should do whatever we can to reduce the stress of being in our processes.
"Some doctors who are referred to us have serious health concerns, and we are determined to better support vulnerable doctors in our procedures."
He said the recommendations of the review are being taken forward, adding: "We have in place a comprehensive set of reforms to speed up our processes, reduce the stress of our investigations, and better support doctors who have their fitness to practise called into question."
The GP conference will be asked to back a motion calling for GMC hearings to be held in Scotland, so doctors can have family support around them. At the moment doctors have to travel to Manchester.
Motions saying the GMC's approach is "intrusive and inhumane" and "creating a climate where doctors practice in fear for their registration" will also be put to the GPs.
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