What we do and why

We work to protect patient safety and support medical education and practice across the UK. We do this by working with doctors, employers, educators, patients and other key stakeholders in the UK's healthcare systems. Here you can learn more about what we do. You can also find out about the workshops we offer to doctors and access our data and research.

Our statutory purpose

The work we do is set out by the Medical Act 1983 and it covers five areas.

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The medical register

We manage the UK medical register

There are more than 300,000 doctors on the UK medical register.

We check every doctor's identity and qualifications before they are able to join the register. We also contact a doctor’s previous employers to find out if they have any concerns about the doctor’s ability to practise safely. 

How we manage the medical register.

Standards for doctors

We set the standards for doctors

Our standards define what makes a good doctor by setting out the professional values, knowledge, skills and behaviours required of all doctors working in the UK.

When we develop our standards and our guidance we consult with a wide range of people, including patients, doctors, employers and educators.

Our guidance and the support we provide.

Education and training

We oversee medical education and training 

We make sure doctors get the education and training they need to deliver high-quality care throughout their careers.

We do this by setting standards for undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, and by monitoring training environments. 

Our role in education and training.

Revalidation

We help maintain and improve standards through revalidation

It's important that every licensed doctor in the UK is keeping their knowledge and skills up to date.

We check this by working with experienced senior doctors to make sure every doctor has an annual appraisal. And every five years the senior doctor tells us whether the doctor is keeping up to date with our standards and giving good care.

How we maintain standards through revalidation.

Addressing concerns

We investigate and act on concerns about doctors

When a serious concern is raised about a doctor's behaviour or the way they do their job, we assess whether we need to investigate it. We usually investigate cases where the doctor is putting the safety of patients, or the public's confidence in doctors, at risk.

As part of our investigations we collect and review evidence. At the end of the process we may issue advice or a warning to the doctor, or we may agree with the doctor that he or she will restrict their practice, retrain or work under supervision. In some situations we refer the case to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS).

How we investigate and act on concerns.

Our role
You can find out more about the different pieces of legislation that set and guide the work we do in our mandate.
Our role and the medical act

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Learning and support

Learn about the different workshops and other learning opportunities we offer to help you understand our ethical guidance and apply it to your day to day practice.

Our learning opportunities

Quick links:

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Data and research

We share information to improve patient care and aid workforce planning. See the research which guides our policies and decisions. And use our data to better understand the medical profession.

Data and research at the GMC

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GMC Services International
We deliver advisory services to regulators and other organisations around the world. See how it can help your organisation achieve your healthcare regulation outcomes and results.
Advisory services for regulators and organisations