GMC to recruit doctors to comment on core policy

Calling for doctors to join our new Reference Community, which will help inform GMC policies and decisions in the future.

The General Medical Council (GMC) is seeking volunteer doctors to give their opinions on a range of health issues. Feedback will help to inform and influence the policies and decisions of the GMC. 

25 registered medical practitioners would join 25 lay members of the public to make up the first ever GMC Reference Community. While volunteer doctors will not be asked to make policy decisions, they will be asked for their opinion on a range of key GMC topics such as:

• the development of revalidation;
• fitness to practise guidelines;
• a review of Good Medical Practice.

The Reference Community has been established to provide an additional route for the GMC to hear the views of the profession.  Interested doctors should not represent the opinion of an organisation as the GMC already has systems in place to engage with professional bodies and interest groups.

GMC Council Member Ros Levenson said: “This is an opportunity to inform and influence the policies and decisions that maintain the health and safety of patients across the UK.

“We’d like to hear the opinions of doctors on a range of issues from the principles that define how a doctor should act to how we communicate with doctors and the public.

“What we are looking for are the personal and professional opinions and experiences of a variety of members of the public and doctors.”

Each volunteer would ideally give around 20 to 30 hours per year but this could vary according to individual circumstances. There are a variety of ways volunteers can contribute to the group including commenting on draft publications; replying to a poll or questionnaire and occasional meetings that can fit around personal or professional commitments.