New legislative proposals
The introduction of revalidation represents the biggest change to medical regulation in 150 years. Implementing this change requires significant updating of the legislative framework within which the GMC operates.
Medical Act 1983
The Medical Act 1983 provides the legal basis for everything that we do. It gives the GMC specific powers and duties to carry out its functions.
This will include our powers and duties in relation to licensing and revalidation once they are introduced.
Some of the changes to the Act that will be necessary for us to introduce licensing and revalidation are contained in amending legislation that has already been approved by Parliament.
- The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) Order 2002
- The
Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006 (153Kb,
pdf) - The Department of Health has recently completed a consultation on
draft legislation that will make further amendments to the Act that
will be relevant to revalidation. Find out more about the consultation
(Department of Health website)
You can download a copy of the GMC’s response to this consultation (159Kb,pdf)
Health and Social Care Act 2008
Our plans for revalidation are also affected by the Health and Social Care Bill (Parliament website) which received Royal Assent on 24 July 2008.
The Act deals with a wide range of issues, many of which are unconnected with medical regulation.
However, it also includes provisions for the creation of ‘responsible officers’ (usually Medical Directors) within local healthcare organisations who will have specific powers in relation to the delivery of revalidation processes at a local level, including making recommendations to the GMC about doctors’ revalidation.