Our mandate
We work with doctors, physician associates (PAs), anaesthesia associates (AAs), patients, and other stakeholders to support good, safe patient care across the UK. As part of this role, we:
- set the standards of patient care and professional behaviours doctors, PAs and AAs need to meet
- make sure doctors, PAs and AAs get the education and training they need to deliver good, safe patient care
- check who is eligible to work as a doctor, PA or AA in the UK and check they continue to meet the professional standards we set throughout their careers
- give guidance and advice to help doctors, PAs and AAs understand what’s expected of them
- investigate where there are concerns that patient safety, or the public’s confidence in doctors, may be at risk, and take action if needed
Relevant legislation
Our mandate is set out in the Medical Act 1983 (the Act) and the Anaesthesia Associates and Physician Associates Order 2024 (the Order)
Together, the Act and the Order cover:
- our statutory purpose
- governance of the GMC (including how our members are appointed)
- our responsibilities in relation to the education, registration and revalidation of doctors, PAs and AAs; for operating fitness to practise processes that enable us to take action where there are fitness to practise concerns; and for giving guidance to doctors, PAs and AAs on matters of professional conduct, performance and ethics.
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