Department of Health
Tuesday, 23 September, 2014

The Department of Health has been consulting on a number of proposals that aim to strengthen and modernise the GMC’s adjudication systems. The consultation document sought comments and views on the draft Order “The General Medical Council (Fitness to Practise etc.) and the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (Referrals to Court) Order 2014”.

These important proposed changes would apply to how the GMC regulate all doctors across the UK.

The Department of Health has prepared this draft Order under section 60 of the Health Act 1999 which will make amendments to the Medical Act 1983 to increase the separation of the GMC’s investigation and adjudication functions by establishing the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) as a statutory committee of the GMC to manage its fitness to practise panels (to be re-named medical practitioners tribunals). This is designed to enhance public and professional confidence in the GMC’s fitness to practise procedures. The proposed section 60 Order will also put in place legislation that will enable the GMC’s adjudication procedures to be modernised, and improve timeliness and effectiveness of their processes surrounding fitness to practise hearings.