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The Authority publishes its latest performance review of the GMC

13 Mar 2020

The Professional Standards Authority has published its annual performance review of the General Medical Council (GMC). We review each of the statutory health and social care regulators each year to assess whether they are meeting Standards of Good Regulation. At the time of assessment, the GMC’s register covered over 309,700 doctors practising in the United Kingdom.

We conducted a targeted review of the GMC’s performance and are pleased to report that it continues to meet all of the Standards of Good Regulation. We looked particularly carefully at issues including the GMC’s response to a serious incident of fraudulent registration, and the fairness and timeliness of its Fitness to Practise process. More information about how we reached our decision is set out in our Performance Review - GMC 2018/19 or read a summary in our snapshot.

ENDS

Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care

Contact:

Christine Braithwaite

Director, Policy and Standards

Email: Christine.Braithwaite@professionalstandards.org.uk

Reception: 020 7389 8030

Email: info@professionalstandards.org.uk

Notes to the Editor

  1. The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care oversees 10 statutory bodies that regulate health and social care professionals in the UK.
  2. We assess their performance and report to Parliament. We also conduct audits and investigations and can appeal fitness to practise cases to the courts if we consider that sanctions are insufficient to protect the public and it is in the public interest.
  3. We also set standards for organisations holding voluntary registers for health and social care occupations and accredit those that meet them.
  4. We share good practice and knowledge, conduct research and introduce new ideas to our sector. We monitor policy developments in the UK and internationally and provide advice on issues relating to professional standards in health and social care.
  5. We do this to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of users of health and social care services and the public. We are an independent body, accountable to the UK Parliament.
  6. The General Medical Council (GMC) regulates the medical profession in the United Kingdom. Its work includes: setting and maintaining standards of practice and conduct; maintaining a register of qualified professionals; assuring the quality of medical education and training; requiring doctors to keep their skills up to date through continuing professional development; and taking action to restrict or remove from practice registrants who are not considered to be fit to practise. As at 30 September 2019, the GMC was responsible for a register of 309,782 doctors. Its annual retention fee for registrants is £399.
  7. Our values are at the heart of who we are and what we do. We are committed to working with integrity, transparency, respect, fairness and as part of a team.
  8. More information about our work and the approach we take is available at www.professionalstandards.org.uk