NHS: Misconduct

The General Medical Council (GMC) is independent of Government, directly accountable to Parliament and responsible for operational matters concerning the discharge of its statutory duties. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service is a statutory committee of the GMC. The United Kingdom's model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government.

The Department of Health and Social Care monitors how regulators perform their duties and there are a range of mechanisms to ensure accountability. The GMC is accountable to the devolved governments. The Health and Social Care Committee and the Health and Care Select Committee of the Scottish Parliament can hold hearings with the GMC and scrutinise its activity. The GMC has a duty to publish an annual report alongside a statistical report and a strategic plan which are laid before each house of Parliament, thereby enabling scrutiny by peers and MPs.

The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) also oversees all health and care regulators, including the GMC, and carries out regular performance reviews to evaluate their performance. The PSA may also escalate serious or intractable concerns to others, including the Government and/or Parliament. The GMC met all 18 Standards of Good Regulation in the PSA’s 2025 Performance Review.

The Privy Council has default powers which can be used if it considers that the GMC has failed to carry out its functions in relation to the professions it currently regulates.