Response to consultation on reforming the GMC's legislative framework

We have published our response to the Government’s consultation on reforms to the General Medical Council’s (GMC) legislative framework. We support the overall direction of the proposals, which aim to create a more modern, flexible and responsive regulatory system.

A summary of key points made in our response

• Public protection must remain central. Greater flexibility for the GMC should be supported by clear safeguards, transparent decision-making and strong oversight.
• We welcome proposals for a statutory power to require information from the GMC, which will strengthen our ability to carry out our oversight role effectively.
• Implementation needs careful management. Reform should be introduced in a way that avoids regulatory gaps and manages transition risks safely.
• Governance, transparency and EDI expectations need clarity. We support stronger duties in these areas and recommend clearer expectations for how they will be assessed.
• Education, training and registration reforms are welcome. More flexible arrangements could help the GMC respond to changing workforce and healthcare needs, provided standards and public confidence are maintained.
• Fitness to practise reforms are important but require robust safeguards. We support a more flexible and less adversarial approach, but decision-making must remain fair, transparent and consistent.
• Appeal and revision mechanisms must maintain public safety and confidence. We support retaining the PSA’s Section 29 appeal powers and extending them to interim measure decisions. We also call for clearer safeguards around internal appeals and the proposed power to revise case examiner fitness to practise decisions.

A summary of our overall position

The PSA supports the aim of the reforms to create a more agile and modern regulatory system and the GMC order is a major step forward. However, in our response, we underline that successful implementation will depend on:

• Maintaining clear legislative safeguards
• Ensuring robust and independent oversight
• Designing decision‑making and review mechanisms that are transparent, fair, and consistent
• Carefully managing equality impacts and transition risks.