The General Medical Council (GMC) is a stautory body, established under the Medical Act of 1858. It has legal powers designed to maintain the standards the public have a right to expect of doctors.

Doctors must be registered with the GMC to practise medicine in the UK. To register, they must have a recognised medical qualification. A new requirement is being that all doctors must demonstrate their continuing fitness to practise in order to remain registered, call “revalidation”.

Where any doctor fails to meet the standards, the GMC can act to protect patients from harm - if necessary, by striking the doctor off the register and removing their right to practise medicine.