General Medical Council
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General Medical Council (pronunciation: jen-er-al med-i-kal koun-sil) is a professional body that maintains the official register of medical practitioners within the United Kingdom. Its chief responsibility is to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public by ensuring proper standards in the practice of medicine.
Etymology
The term "General Medical Council" is derived from its function. The word "General" refers to its broad jurisdiction over all medical practitioners in the UK, "Medical" pertains to the profession it governs, and "Council" signifies its role as a governing body.
Functions
The General Medical Council is responsible for several key functions:
- Maintaining the Medical Register which lists all doctors who are qualified to practice medicine in the UK.
- Setting the standards for medical schools and postgraduate education and training.
- Setting the standards for professional conduct, performance, and medical ethics.
- Taking action when a doctor's fitness to practice is in question.
Related Terms
- Medical Register: A list of doctors who are registered to practice medicine in the UK.
- Medical Ethics: The system of moral principles that apply values and judgments to the practice of medicine.
- Professional Conduct: The manner in which a professional is expected to behave in the workplace.
- Fitness to Practice: A term used to indicate a practitioner's suitability to perform their professional duties.
See Also
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