RCPsych statement on GMC reform

---

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has responded to a Government consultation on its draft General Medical Council Order 2026. The proposals will reform the General Medical Council's (GMC) legislative framework, affecting how it regulates medical practitioners, physician associates and anaesthesia associates across the UK.

Professor Subodh Dave, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists said:

“We welcome the spirit of these proposals, particularly their ambition to create a more modern, proportionate and flexible regulatory framework.

“The protection of the 'registered medical practitioner' title will help patients distinguish between medically qualified doctors and other professional groups. Similarly, plans to change 'physician associate' and 'anaesthesia associate' titles to 'physician assistant' and 'anaesthesia assistant' may improve transparency and reduce role confusion. We have previously advocated for this change and, alongside other medical royal colleges, implemented it internally following the publication of the Leng review.

“There is a risk that retaining the GMC's right to appeal decisions made by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) will undermine confidence in the system's independence. It would be more appropriate and effective for the Professional Standards Authority to exclusively carry out this role.

“We have also recommended that it is made explicitly clear only medically qualified doctors are eligible for Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). This will prevent ambiguous wording from being interpreted differently in the future.

“This legislation has the potential to greatly benefit patients and psychiatrists, but it must contain the right clarity and safeguards. We will continue to engage with the Government, GMC and other stakeholders to ensure it meets the needs of psychiatrists and our patients.”

The College's response was based on comprehensive engagement with our faculties, divisions, devolved nations and Officers. A more detailed summary of it can be read in the Summer 2026 edition of RCPsych Insight magazine. We also encouraged members to respond to the consultation individually.

The Government is now in the process of analysing consultation feedback. We will analyse the updated Order once it is published to better understand its implications for members.