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Code of conduct and guidance on the register of interests for members of the General Medical Council

May 2003

1. Membership of the GMC is a privilege which carries with it the twin responsibilities of protecting patients and guiding doctors. In order that both patients and doctors may have confidence in the effectiveness and impartiality of the Council, members undertake:

a. To make themselves available for service on the Council and those of its committees and working parties to which they may be elected or appointed.

b. To take decisions in the public interest without favour to any individual body corporate or other association, whether medical or lay.

c. To avoid placing themselves under obligation to any individual or organisation which might affect their ability to act impartially and objectively as members of the GMC.

d. To declare in the GMC's register of interests their membership of other bodies or organisations in accordance with the Council's guidance on this matter.

e. To declare relevant interests or prior knowledge in the course of GMC business, and/or to take steps to avoid such interests or knowledge giving rise to a conflict of interest.

f. To promote the principles set out in Good Medical Practice.

g. To serve without seeking personal gain or preferment.

h. To avoid bias on grounds of sex, race, disability, lifestyle, culture, beliefs, colour, gender, sexuality or age.

i. To be open about the decisions and actions they take as GMC members, restricting information only when the principles of confidentiality or the law demand it.

j. To observe the confidentiality of information identified as confidential which they receive as a privilege of Council membership.

k. To distinguish clearly, when speaking or writing, between personal views and those of the GMC.

l. To support the above principles by leadership and example

Charity Trusteeship

2. The GMC is a charity and Council members are its trustees. As trustees, members are required to act only in the best interests of the charity, putting the charity's interests before any other personal or professional interests.

3. Members have a responsibility to be aware of their duties as trustees. The Chief Executive is responsible for ensuring that members are offered appropriate information, guidance and training. Members who have questions or concerns about, or arising from, their role and responsibilities should consult the Chief Executive at the earliest opportunity.

4. Members have a responsibility as trustees to make sure that the GMC is acting within the law. Members who have specific concerns about the GMC's compliance with charity or other legislation should seek further information from the Chief Executive at the earliest opportunity.

5. In the event that concerns remain, members should refer the matter to the Audit Committee, which will report to the Council and, if appropriate, to the Charity Commission.

Guidance on the Register of Interests

6. Current members and those elected, appointed or nominated for the first time, will be invited to indicate their commitment to the code by making a statement and returning it to the Chief Executive's office.

7. Members of the GMC are expected to act impartially and objectively, and to take steps to avoid any conflict of interest arising as a result of their membership of, or association with, other organisations or individuals. In order that this should be clearly apparent, the GMC has established a register of members' interests.

8. The Council attaches great importance to trying to ensure a proper balance between transparency and privacy. The aim of the register is not to satisfy curiosity but to support transparency and probity, and to maintain confidence in the regulatory process.

9. With this aim in mind, the Council has agreed that the following interests should be declared:

a. Posts held in the ordinary course of employment or practice.

b. Ordinary membership of professional bodies, medical Royal Colleges, specialist societies, local medical committees or the medical defence organisations.

c. Fellowships of professional bodies, medical Royal Colleges, or specialist societies.

d. Any office held in a professional body, specialist society, medical Royal College or other similar body in the public, private or voluntary sector. Offices include posts such as President, Chairman, Chief Executive, Treasurer or Secretary.

e. Membership of a committee or Council of a professional association, specialist society, medical Royal College or other similar body.

f. Membership of, or posts held in, local or national community organisations.

g. Consultancies, directorships, or advisory positions if they relate to a medical, healthcare or pharmaceutical company or organisation, NHS Trust or authority, public body or political party.

h. Freemasonry.

i. Membership of a political party or pressure group with an interest in the GMC's work.

10. The Chief Executive will be responsible for keeping the register of members' interests. The register will be published. Members should amend their entries in the register as soon as possible following any change in their circumstances, and will, in any event, be invited to update their entries in the spring of each year.