Legislative framework
The Medical Act 1983 (as amended) covers our statutory purpose, our governance, and our responsibilities in relation to the medical education and registration of doctors. And to guidance to doctors on professional conduct, performance and ethics. The Act sets out our powers and responsibilities for dealing with doctors whose fitness to practise is or may be impaired.
The Anaesthesia Associates and Physician Associates Order 2024 provides for the regulation of PAs and AAs by the GMC. Including setting standards in relation to education, training, registration and fitness to practise for PAs and AAs.
Some detail is set out in rules and regulations. This includes:
- rules governing the fitness to practise procedures
- how medical practitioners’ tribunals and associates tribunals are constituted
- how the registration fees regime operates
- how appeals against registration and other decisions are handled.
We have a Chief Executive who is accountable to Council for the operation of the GMC. The Chief Executive is also the Registrar, to which role various functions are specifically assigned in the Medical Act and AAPAO.
Constitution Order
The Constitution Order deals with matters such as:
- the size and composition of our Council
- the terms of office of Council members
- the arrangements for suspending or removing of members from office.
The General Medical Council (Constitution) Order 2008
The 2008 order has been amended in 2013 and 2017, by the following orders.
