In previous posts I have been outlining the dilemma the GDC has unwittingly brought upon itself by asking its Standards Committee to consider use of the title 'Dr.' in its deliberations on ethical advertising.
I have been arguing that the GDC needed to find a way to accept the reoprt on ethical advertising, whilst rejecting the recommendations regarding use of the title 'Dr.' It seems that with the arrival of Kevin O'Brien as Chair of the GDC comes also a degree of common sense! In December the Council ratified the guidance on ethical advertising, whilst deciding not to debate and vote on the 'Dr.' issue at that time. On 1st. March the Guidance on Ethical Advertising was published - containing no mention of the 'Dr' title. It may be that the Council intends to consider this matter when it meets later this month, but one poses the question "does it now really need to consider this matter at all?"
Perhaps the way forward for the GDC is now to neither accept nor reject the Committee's recommendations on this issue, rather instead let the matter quietly fade away. So hopefully this will then be the final chapter in what has been a wholly unnecessary debate.
