CONSULT.Outcome publishedConsultation · gov.uk
Changing how the GMC decides on doctors’ fitness to practise
Seeks views on changes to the way the GMC decides on a doctors’ fitness to practise and the PSA’s power to refer cases to higher courts.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · gov.uk
Detail
The General Medical Council (GMC) is responsible for regulating doctors and the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) oversees the regulation of all healthcare professionals, protecting the health and safety of the public by ensuring fitness to practise.
We are seeking views on proposed changes to the way each body carries out its regulatory functions, including:
- establishing the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service as a statutory committee of the GMC
- strengthening adjudication procedures
- confirming the objectives of the GMC and its fitness to practise functions
- amending the grounds on which the PSA can refer fitness to practise panel decisions to the higher courts and introducing a new right of appeal for the GMC
The Scottish government are also jointly consulting using this consultation paper for professions for whom responsibility is devolved in Scotland.
Documents
The General Medical Council and Professional Standards Authority: proposed changes to modernise and reform the adjudication of fitness to practise casesapplication/pdfThe General Medical Council (Fitness to Practise etc.) and the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (Referrals to Court) Order 2014application/pdfThe General Medical Council and Professional Standards Authority: proposed changes to modernise and reform the adjudication of fitness to practise casesapplication/pdf