GMC welcomes two new Council members

The General Medical Council (GMC) welcomes two new members, appointed by the Privy Council, to its governing body, the GMC Council.

Doctor Rajiv Wijesuriya (registrant member) and Douglas Millican, (lay member), both started on 1 May.

The Council, which is led by Professor Dame Carrie MacEwen, is made up of 12 members, seven men and five women, of which six are lay and six are medical. Council members set the GMC’s strategy and goals and oversee the work of the regulator, with a firm focus on its primary role of protecting the public.

The new Council members have joined at a critical point for the GMC, as it focuses on becoming a more compassionate and effective regulator for patients, the public and doctors, and, in the future, physician associates and anaesthesia associates.

Professor Dame Carrie MacEwen, Chair of the GMC, said:

‘Our role to support doctors deliver the best possible care is more important than ever, as doctors face the daily challenges of staff shortages, unserviceable demands and, despite their best attempts, often struggle to provide the care that patients deserve.

Rajiv and Douglas share our vision of being a compassionate and effective regulator. I welcome the great insight and challenge to decisions they will provide as they help us drive forward the long-lasting changes we aspire to make, improving the working environments for doctors and protecting patients’ safety.’

Dr Wijesuriya is currently a GP in Hackney, East London. He is Clinical Advisor to the National Vaccination and Screening programme and to the Primary Care team at NHS England.

He is also Director of Networks for the Association for the Study of Medical Education; trustee of the Healthcare Workers Foundation; and Chair of BMA Charities, which supports medical students, NHS staff and refugee doctors in hardship. Dr Wijesuriya previously held several roles in the BMA, including Chair of the UK Junior Doctors Committee, and member of their Council.

Dr Wijesuriya said:

‘I am passionately committed to the medical profession and the recruitment and retention of the NHS workforce, to make sure that doctors receive high quality training and that patients receive the best possible care. I look forward to the opportunity to bring my skills, perspective and expertise to Council, shaping the future of regulation for fellow clinicians.’

Douglas Millican has worked in the water sector in Scotland for 25 years and was chief executive at Scottish Water for 10 years. He is chair of World Vision and a Member of the Court (board) of the University of Edinburgh.

Mr Millican said:

‘Throughout my career, I have worked in a heavily regulated sector, and I strongly believe in the power of effective regulation in contributing to better outcomes. I come from a family full of doctors and feel a close affinity with the GMC's role in protecting patients.’

Council members need to commit to a minimum of three days a month and the remuneration is £18,000 per year.