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

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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.

5. 999111 GPs to Canada Group - Sponsored group for the recruitment of GPs to Canada. To join WhatsApp 07481999111.

6. 999111 GPs to Australia Group - Sponsored group for the recruitment of GPs to Australia. 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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EXCEPTIONS

The group founder may post messages in the above groups that do not fit the usual group criteria. This includes (not an exclusive list): sponsored posts, polls, news of new group launches, request for feedback etc

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AIM

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

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REMOVAL FROM GROUPS

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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WHATSAPP GROUP LINKS & 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).

 

CANVASSING/VOTING POSTS

Posts seeking support for elections or positions within professional organisations (e.g. the British Medical Association) are not permitted. This prevents the groups from becoming a campaign platform and avoids arguments about fairness between candidates. There are other avenues for canvassing.

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CHARITY POSTS

Fundraising: Charity or fundraising posts are not permitted. This is to prevent flooding of the groups with donation requests and also because it is difficult for admin to check & verify every charity/campaign. Admin does not endorse any fundraising campaigns.

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MEMBER CONDUCT and DATA PROTECTION

1. Members must not send unsolicited messages to other group members outside the group.

2. Members must not collect, share, or store personal information from this group, including names, phone numbers, or other contact details, without explicit consent.

3. Breaches may result in removal from the group at the admin’s discretion.

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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.

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The admin reserves the right to remove posts that are not consistent with the professional purpose of the groups. Where an issue cannot be resolved between a group member and admin, the admin's decision will be final.

 

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.

Businesses/individuals posting sponsored 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 financial benefit from [company name]'. Posts that do not meet these requirements may be edited or removed by admin.​​

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DEFAMATION

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

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WHERE RULES ARE NOT COMPREHENSIVE

Where the rules do not adequately cover a situation that may arise in a group admin may post instructions/ requests in the group. Members are expected to abide by the admin request. Failure to do so will be treated as if a group rule has been broken.

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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.