GMC’s first meeting of a fully representative Council

The GMC held its first meeting of 2009 welcoming in new Council Members, changes to its governance structure and reviews of its Registers.

The GMC held its first meeting of 2009 on Tuesday, welcoming in new Council Members, changes to its governance structure and reviews of its Registers.

The GMC’s governing body, the Council, is now smaller and has an equal representation of lay and medical members. The composition of the reconstituted Council reflects the GMC’s key interest groups: patients and the public; doctors; the NHS and other healthcare providers; and medical schools and medical Royal Colleges.

The role of the Council remains unchanged. It will continue to make all major policy decisions, and will be responsible for overseeing the operational performance of the GMC. Key aims for 2009 include:

• introduce the Licence to Practise in the autumn of 2009
• consult on and publish a revised edition of Tomorrow’s Doctors
• develop three boards to support Council on policy at each stage of a doctor’s career
• consult on new standards around end of life care

Review of LRMP and Specialist Register

The GMC’s registration database is a unique national resource. No other organisation has details of all those who are registered doctors or have been registered doctors. The introduction of revalidation, and the merger of PMETB with the GMC, will create opportunities to enhance the information publicly available on the GMC’s registers.

At the meeting, the Council asked the Registration Reference Group to review the List of Registered Medical Practitioners (LRMP) and recommend how best to enhance its value. In addition, Council has agreed to review the Specialist Register to ensure it will be ready for future changes around the recertification of those doctors who hold specialist registration.

Mrs Enid Rowlands, a new lay member of Council said:

“I am proud to be part of a Council which for the first time evenly represents those that provide and receive health care.

“The diversity of Council members will ensure we are able to listen and represent the best interests of patients and the public; doctors; the NHS and other healthcare providers and the medical schools and Royal Colleges.”

Professor Iqbal Singh, a new medical member of Council said:

“It is a privilege to sit on the GMC Council and bring my experience of healthcare regulation at a time of such great change for the medical profession.

“The introduction of licensing and in time, revalidation, will help doctors better asses their professional development and their training needs.

“For the public, revalidation will further strengthen the trust a patient places in their doctor.”

Dr Joan Martin, a returning lay member of the Council said:

"I would like to welcome my new colleagues on the Council. I very much look forward to working alongside people with such a variety of interests and experience. 

“Together we can offer a rounded perspective on behalf of all our stakeholders in the public and the medical profession."

Dr Hamish Wilson, a new lay member of the Council said:

“I am delighted this reconstituted Council fully represents Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as England. This combined with the varied skills and knowledge of Council members will help us represent our key interest groups across the four countries of the UK.”