General Medical Council

General Medical Council
Name	General Medical Council
Founded	1858
Headquarters	London, United Kingdom
Key people	Charlie Massey (Chief Executive)
Purpose	Medical regulation

General Medical Council. It is the independent regulator for doctors in the United Kingdom, established by the Medical Act 1858. Its primary duty is to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public by ensuring proper standards in the practice of medicine. The regulator sets the standards for medical education and practice, and operates a register of licensed practitioners.

History

The establishment followed public and political concern over variable standards, notably highlighted by the case of William Palmer, the Rugeley poisoner. Key legislative milestones include the Medical Act 1950, which strengthened disciplinary procedures, and the Medical Act 1983, which remains the primary modern legislation. Major reforms occurred following high-profile scandals such as the Bristol heart scandal and the Harold Shipman inquiry, leading to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 which introduced revalidation. Its headquarters moved from Hallam Street to its current location in London.

Functions and responsibilities

Core functions include setting standards for undergraduate and postgraduate medical education across the United Kingdom, which involves quality assuring curricula at institutions like Imperial College London and the University of Edinburgh. It maintains the official register of all doctors permitted to practise, a function mandated by the Medical Act 1983. The regulator also determines principles of good practice through documents like Good Medical Practice and takes action when those standards are not met. It works closely with other bodies such as the NHS England, the Care Quality Commission, and the Department of Health and Social Care.

Registration and licensing

Doctors must be listed on the medical register to practise legally in the United Kingdom, with separate entries for general practice and specialist fields. The process involves verification of primary qualifications, which for international graduates includes passing the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test. Since 2009, all registered doctors must also hold a licence to practise, which is contingent upon successful participation in the revalidation process every five years. The annual retention fee and registration details are managed through an online portal linked to systems like the NHS Digital infrastructure.

Fitness to practise

This function investigates concerns about a doctor’s conduct, performance, or health, with cases often referred by employers like NHS Trusts or members of the public. Proceedings can be heard by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, an independent tribunal service operated by the regulator. Possible outcomes include warnings, conditions on registration, suspension, or erasure from the medical register, with the right to appeal to the High Court of Justice in England. High-profile tribunals have involved figures such as Professor Sir Roy Meadow following the Sally Clark case.

Standards and guidance

It publishes the definitive guide for the profession, Good Medical Practice, which outlines core duties including knowledge, safety, communication, and maintaining trust. Supplementary guidance covers specific areas like confidentiality, consent, and prescribing, and is developed in consultation with organisations like the British Medical Association. The standards also shape medical school curricula and are integral to assessments conducted by the Royal Colleges for postgraduate training. Recent guidance has addressed emerging issues such as telemedicine and duties in the context of COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.

Governance and structure

The council is governed by a board comprising twelve medical and twelve lay members appointed through the Appointments Commission, with the Chief Executive being Charlie Massey. It operates through several statutory committees, including those for education, standards, and fitness to practise. Key operational arms include the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service and registration teams. The organisation is accountable to the UK Parliament and is scrutinised by bodies such as the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.

Category:Medical and health organisations based in the United Kingdom Category:Medical regulation in the United Kingdom Category:Organisations based in London