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Figures for the last two years show that almost five times as many male GPs as women are being referred to the National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS) for remedial measures.

NCAS is the arms-length body charged with addressing concerns about doctors' clinical performance, health and behaviour. 

In 2006/8, just 17.5 per cent of GPs with a case to answer before the NCAS were women, and 82.5 per cent were men. Last year, women made up 44 per cent of the practitioner workforce.

This makes women GPs the safest group in the profession. 

NCAS, who has analysed data for the past seven years, says that women are under-represented in every age group.

Professor Jenny Firth-Cozens, special adviser on modernisation at the London Deanery, who is examining the data in an attempt to identify reasons why women are under-represented, said: ‘I've only looked at what it all might mean.' 

West London GP Dr Kate Cabot said: It's communication, communication, communication. And looking ahead and conscientiousness.'

prisca.middlemiss@haymarket.com

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