General Medical Council
| Website | http://www.gmc-uk.org |
| Tribunal rules | The Medical Act 1983, and related rules, in particular, GMC (Fitness to Practise) Rules 2004 |
| Code of Standards etc |
Duties of a Doctor List of ethical guidance. The principles and values on which good practice is founded are contained in a document, Good Medical Practice (2006), which can be found via this link |
| Grounds for disciplinary proceedings | misconduct; deficient performance; criminal conviction or caution; a determination by another regulatory body; fitness to practise impaired by physical or mental ill-health |
| Powers of administrative suspension? | Yes, by the Interim Orders Panel |
| Settlement/conciliation procedures available? | No, but Fitness to Practise Panels may accept undertakings. |
| Who investigates? | GMC Investigation Staff |
| Power of entry/search and seizure? | No |
| Power to demand information? | Yes, under s 35A of the Medical Act 1983 |
| Pre-trial hearing? | Yes, case management provisions under r 16 of the Fitness to Practise Rules 2004 |
| Discovery of documents? | Yes, can be ordered as part of case |
| Pleadings? | Charges only, no formal pleadings |
| Tribunal | Fitness to Practise Panels |
| Address |
The Registrar General Medical Council 178-202 Great Portland Street London W1W 5JE |
| Legally qualified chairman? | No |
| Tribunal includes lay element? | Yes |
| Tribunal has legal assessor/clerk? | Yes |
| Evidence heard on oath? | Yes |
| Prosecution conducted in name of | General Medical Council |
| Prosecution usually conducted by | GMC staff or an external solicitor or barrister |
| Judicial rules of evidence apply? | In modified form |
| Standard of proof | Criminal |
| Maximum fine | No power to fine |
| Costs against prosecutor? | No |
| Power to order compensation? | No power to order compensation |
| Proceedings open to public? | Yes, except where considering doctor’s health or interim orders |
| Reasons given for decisions? | Yes |
| Where are decisions reported? | Decisions published on GMC website |
| Alternative to full disciplinary proceedings? | No, but undertakings may be agreed |
| Ombudsman | No |
| Appellate tribunal | Administrative Division of the High Court |
| Is right of appeal limited? | Any decision affecting a doctor’s registration is subject to appeal by the doctor or by the Commission for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence |
| Costs against prosecutor? | Yes |
| Right of appeal to prosecutor? | No |
Categories: Examples of disciplinary codes, Medicine