The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7170 p537-541
20 October 2001

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GMC objects to single regulator

The General Medical Council has objected to the Government’s proposals for an overarching Council for the Regulation of Health Professionals, saying that it would gravely compromise the independence of existing regulators, particularly if the council or its director were to be appointed by Ministers.

In a statement the GMC says that it is engaged in a radical programme of reform and modernisation, as are other regulators of health professionals. Although it endorses the underlying aims of the Government’s proposals, it says that regulators should be, and must be seen to be, independent of the political management of the National Health Service and of other employers. It also believes that all the regulators should be accountable to Parliament directly, not via the proxy of a council. The GMC also objects to a proposal that the council should have an ombudsman role, saying that this would require a significant investigative facility. It would be better for regulatory bodies to have effective complaints procedures instead.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society would also be under the umbrella of the Council for the Regulation of Health Professionals. The Society says that a balance needs to be struck between the independence of individual regulators and the functions of the overarching council in monitoring and ensuring best practice.

It adds that independent professional regulators will need to earn this privilege by adopting sound, transparent procedures, involving patients and the public, and by being fully accountable.

The Society’s response document is available from its website (PDF* 35K).

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