Few would dispute that bullying, harassment and discrimination once flourished within parts of the profession.

Junior doctors, women, overseas-trained clinicians and countless others were subjected to conduct that should never have been tolerated.

Careers were derailed, confidence was shattered and talented people left the profession altogether.

The profession was entirely right to confront such behaviour.

The more difficult question is whether, in attempting to eliminate cruelty, we have inadvertently made criticism, mentorship and honest disagreement harder to recognise.

Increasingly, one hears senior clinicians express a concern that would have been almost unimaginable 20 years ago.