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 our Standards of Good Regulation. At the time of assessment, the GMC’s register covered approximately 350,000 doctors in the United Kingdom.
We conducted a targeted review of the GMC’s performance and concluded that it has met all of the 18 Standards of Good Regulation. The judgements we make against each Standard incorporate a range of evidence to form an overall picture of performance.
We considered detailed information from the GMC about its work to promote fairness, including the targets it has set to eliminate disadvantages experienced by some groups of doctors in relation to training and fitness to practise referrals. We also asked the GMC how it ensures its own processes are fair. It told us about the work it is doing in this area, including acting in response to an employment tribunal last year which found that the GMC has discriminated against a doctor on the grounds of race. We agree that it is appropriate for the GMC to seek to learn from the tribunal decision, notwithstanding its appeal against the verdict. This is a very important area of work which rightly receives a lot of attention and concern. We will continue to monitor the GMC’s work in both these areas closely.
More information about how we reached our decision is set out in our Performance Review - GMC 2020/21 or read a summary in our snapshot.
ENDS
Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care
Contact:
Email: media@professionalstandards.org.uk
Reception: 020 7389 8030
Email: info@professionalstandards.org.uk
Notes to the Editor
- The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care oversees 10 statutory bodies that regulate health and social care professionals in the UK.
- 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.
- We also set standards for organisations holding voluntary registers for health and social care occupations and accredit those that meet them.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 2021, the GMC was responsible for a register of 348,784 doctors. Its annual retention fee for registrants is £408.
- 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.
- More information about our work and the approach we take is available at www.professionalstandards.org.uk