Note: “Admin” refers to Dr. Aminur Rahman, who manages all WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook groups listed on this platform.

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SOCIAL MEDIA USE

Members in the group must abide by GMC Guidance on Social Media use: 

https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/the-professional-standards/using-social-media-as-a-medical-professional/using-social-media-as-a-medical-professional

Offensive, abusive or discriminatory content is not permitted.

 

INTERACTION WITH COLLEAGUES

Members must interact with colleagues in a manner expected by the GMC:

https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/the-professional-standards/good-medical-practice/domain-3-colleagues-culture-and-safety#:~:text=Introduction,51

 

PURPOSE OF THE GROUPS

The groups are for:

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WhatsApp Groups:

1. Locum GP Jobs Groups (red stethoscope icon) = for posting and responding to locum GP jobs ONLY. These groups are primarily for GPs, Practice Managers & Rota Managers. They are not for agencies. (New members must join by filling in this form: https://bit.ly/GPLocumGroups )

2. Locum GP Chat Groups (green stethoscope icon) = ONLY for professional conversations concerned with CPD, educational courses, clinical questions as well as local work-related issues: management, clinical pathways, referral systems, jobs other than locum GP jobs. These groups are primarily for GPs, Practice Managers & Rota Managers. They are not for agencies. (New members must join by filling in this form: https://bit.ly/GPLocumGroups )

3. GP Clinical Questions UK - for discussing clinical questions only for professional learning. These groups are for GPs, GPSTs, Consultants, Associate Specialists and Specialist Trainee Doctors ST3 and above. To join WhatsApp 07481999111.

4. GP Practice Managers Group UK - for Practice Managers and Deputy/Assistant Practice Managers in the UK (only). For discussing topics relating to practice management in the UK. To join WhatsApp 07481999111.

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Telegram Groups:

GP Clinical Questions UK - for discussing clinical questions only. This group is for GPs, GPSTs, Consultants, Associate Specialists and Specialist Trainees ST3 and above. To join WhatsApp 07481999111.

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Facebook Groups:

There are multiple Facebook Groups with different purposes and they are listed

here: https://www.999111.co.uk/facebook-groups

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The purpose of the groups is to help improve communication, provide support and create a warm and uplifting environment for all members within them.

 

A member whose conduct in a group is deemed by Admin to be counterproductive to the purpose of the groups may be removed from them if after a formal warning the conduct does not change. If a member has been removed previously, they may be removed permanently without any further warning.

 

CONFIDENTIALITY

​Members are responsible for ensuring that their participation complies with professional confidentiality obligations and applicable regulations. The admin cannot verify the origin or consent associated with clinical material shared by members.

Confidentiality – do not post identifiable patient information. If sharing images, ensure consent and full anonymisation (including removal of metadata e.g. time/location of image). Members are responsible for setting their phones or apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook) so that media is not automatically saved to personal devices. Members must not share posts, screenshots or downloads outside the group without proper consent.

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GROUP MEMBERSHIP

New members must join by filling in this form: https://bit.ly/GPLocumGroups 

Members MUST NOT directly add others to the groups nor share the group links but can forward the above form to colleagues instead. This is to ensure that only appropriate members join the groups.

Admin may occasionally add members to the groups other than GPs/PMs/Rota Managers in order to help facilitate the running of the groups (eg for help with admin/tech/legal advice).

Admin may remove members who have joined a group inappropriately.

 

DISAGREEMENT & DEBATE

Disagreement and debate is allowed so long as it remains kind, respectful (see GMC guidance) and is of interest to the vast majority of group members.

 

POLARISING POSTS

Posts deemed by Admin to be potentially polarising, especially if unlikely to be resolved through discussion and debate within the group are not allowed. This is because such topics can take over the main theme of the group and make it difficult to see other messages that members may wish to post. They can also cause resentment between members and risk the posting of messages which members may later regret (see GMC guidance).

 

ADMIN MODERATION

If a post is deemed to be inappropriate by Admin or a group rule is broken a reminder may be placed in the group or a private message sent to an individual (or both). Admins may also delete inappropriate posts if within the WhatsApp timeframe limit and/or send a formal warning to the individual concerned. If this does not help to bring about the required change then the individual may be removed from the groups. A member may be removed permanently if they have been removed once before already. Members who ‘Block’ Admin and cannot receive important PMs may be removed from the groups without warning. Posts deemed by Admin to have attempted to circumvent the rules will be treated as if they have broken the rules.

 

SPONSORSHIP & DECLARATIONS

The groups may contain posts from third-party organisations relevant to healthcare professionals. Some of these posts are sponsored or relate to services where the admin may benefit financially. The admin may receive:

• Equity in the company,

• Payment for individual posts, or

• Referral fees if members engage with the service.

Sponsored content is clearly labelled at the top of the post. Inclusion of content does not constitute personal recommendation, endorsement, or professional advice. Members should exercise their own professional judgment and consider multiple providers independently.

Organisations posting promotional content are solely responsible for ensuring that their posts comply with all applicable advertising, regulatory, and legal requirements, including clearly labelling the post at the beginning e.g. 'Sponsored Post - admin may receive *payment/equity/referral fees* [amend as necessary] from [company name]'. Posts that do not meet these requirements may be edited or removed by the admin.

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DEFAMATION

Members must not post allegations or negative statements about identifiable individuals, organisations or employers. Any complaint should be made through formal routes instead.

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DISCLAIMER
These groups are forums for discussion. Posts represent the personal views of individual members and do not constitute professional or medical advice. The group administrators do not verify, endorse or accept responsibility for content posted by members.

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CHANGES TO GROUP RULES

The Group Rules may be amended in future. Please refer back to this page regularly to keep up to date with the group rules.