Regulating doctors, ensuring good medical practice

GMC establishes Reference Community

Press Release

04 Sep 2009

The GMC has set up a Reference Community to help inform its policy decisions.

It is really important that we continue to maximise opportunities to engage with doctors and the public in shaping the work of the GMC.

GMC Council member Ros Levenson

The Reference Community will provide an innovative and flexible means of engaging with members of the public and doctors from a wide range of backgrounds. It will operate mainly as a virtual community, conducting its business remotely, rather than as a standing group or committee.

28 registered medical practitioners and 27 lay members of the public have been appointed to the roles which will see them sharing their views on a range of topics, including:

  • the GMC’s fitness to practise processes
  • the development of revalidation
  • Good Medical Practice – core guidance for doctors.

GMC Council member Ros Levenson said,

“It is really important that we continue to maximise opportunities to engage with doctors and the public in shaping the work of the GMC. We already engage, on a regular basis, with groups representing the views of doctors and the public, but it is vital that we hear from individuals as well. The Reference Community is an additional mechanism to help us understand the views and opinions of the profession and the public.”

Members of the Reference Community will give around 20 to 30 hours per year of their time. Membership of the Reference Community will be refreshed on a regular basis.