General Medical Council (GMC)

25/03/2026

The national training survey is now open!

Every year, we invite thousands of doctors in training and trainers to share their experiences of postgraduate medical education across the UK. It’s one of the key ways we check that are receiving the training they need. And it gives us the evidence we need to act when this isn’t happening.

The insight plays an important role in highlighting what’s working well, and where improvements are needed, as seen at Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust.

So, if you’re a doctor in training or a trainer, please do take part. Your response really will make a difference.

Find your survey link in your email or visit the link in the comments to learn more.

19/03/2026

We want to hear from you!

Today, we’ve launched a public consultation on proposed updates to guidance for doctors, physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) on Personal beliefs and medical practice. The guidance supports them to provide good, safe care while taking into account their own beliefs and those of their patients.

Like everyone, doctors, PAs and AAs may have personal beliefs and values that are important to them. These may be religious, philosophical or moral, and can also be shaped by ethical views as well as cultural, social or spiritual factors.

The guidance focuses specifically on how personal beliefs should be managed in professional practice. It doesn’t cover beliefs expressed outside work, or how we consider concerns raised with us.

The proposed updates aim to make the guidance easier to follow, more relevant across different care settings, and reflective of the wide range of belief systems that exist today.

Sharing your experiences and feedback will help ensure the final version supports care that is safe, fair, respectful and responsive to patients’ needs and values.

Take a look at the slide deck to find out more and click the link in the comments section to take part.

18/03/2026

As Ramadan comes to a close, colleagues from our Muslim Staff Network have kindly shared what the holy month means to them.

The network is a staff-led forum that provides support for Muslim colleagues, a welcoming space to connect and share experiences, and a platform to use members’ expertise to enhance the working environment.

Ramadan Mubarak to all our followers who have been observing this year.

We hope people of all faiths and none enjoy these reflections from the network. Thanks for reading:

‘Millions around the world are currently observing Ramadan through fasting and increased worship and spiritual reflection.

‘Many of us will have friends, neighbours, or colleagues who participate in Ramadan by observing a daily fast from daybreak at about 5am, at this time of year, until sunset, at around 5.45pm. While the physical aspects of Ramadan, such as abstaining from food and drink, may feel familiar, fasting in Islam goes deeper than this; it is a discipline of the heart and character.

‘Through fasting, we develop an increased awareness of those who experience daily hardship, and this practice realigns us with core Islamic principles of justice, mercy, generosity, and collective responsibility, as modelled by the Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him). While we strive to live our lives in a way that follows the incredible example he set, Ramadan provides time and space for us to evaluate how we embody these principles in our treatment towards others.

‘At its heart, this month is a reminder to listen to the voices of those who are struggling; to empathise with their pain; to reaffirm our shared responsibility to act with compassion towards the most vulnerable in society; and to be reminded of how essential justice and human dignity are to preserve a healthy society.

‘Our call to action invites everyone to do their part within workplaces and communities to uphold these fundamental principles. We can lead with fairness and integrity. We can design equitable systems that ensure dignity for all. And we can create environments where we champion and value the voice of every person.

‘Ramadan offers a timeless invitation: to bridge differences with understanding and compassion, and to translate shared values into purposeful action.

‘We hope you’ve enjoyed a peaceful, reflective and meaningful Ramadan, and that you have a joyous Eid-al-Fitr celebration when it arrives.’

GMC Muslim Staff Network.

06/03/2026

As we approach International Women’s Day this weekend, we’re reflecting on the pioneering women who, throughout history, challenged the social norms of their time to practise medicine and care for patients.

From the first women entering the medical register in 1859 to the tens of thousands working across healthcare today, their contributions have helped shape a more diverse and inclusive workforce that supports high‑quality patient care.

2025 was the first time the number of women licensed to practise medicine in the UK surpassed the number of men. This was a significant milestone that reflects the changing makeup of the medical workforce since the earliest women joined the register. Here we’re exploring some of their stories.

You can find out more about the contribution of women to the medical workforce, as well as other trends in our latest The state of medical education and practice in the UK: workforce report 2025 via the link in the comments.

22/12/2025

Thank you to the doctors, PAs, AAs and all healthcare professionals who will be providing care over the festive period. We hope you also have some opportunities to rest and spend time with those you’re close to. We appreciate everything that you all do, during this time and throughout the year.

If you have any queries during this time, please see our contact centre opening hours in the image below or visit the link in the comments to find out more. With thanks again from everyone at the GMC.

18/12/2025

It was fantastic to take part in another induction day for internationally qualified doctors at Barts Health NHS Trust earlier this month. Our Welcome to UK Practice and Thrive in the UK sessions are now established parts of their programme.

Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in England, running five hospitals across London and employing around 200 internationally qualified doctors each year. Feedback from doctors attending BARTS' induction days over the past year showed that our Welcome to UK Practice session received the joint highest positive score (88%).

One attendee, Yembu Ngwengi, said:‘I want to take the time to appreciate the immensely wonderful work your team has done in organising the induction and thrive sessions for the new IMGs. Many of us were struggling with anxiety, feelings of inadequacy and fear of failure, and the information provided in the sessions has gone a long way towards helping us get back on our feet’.

Thanks so much to our Regional Liaison Advisors, Laura Harding and Kim Tolley for delivering the sessions at Barts Health. Both shared how much they enjoy collaborating with the team there, giving a special shout-out to Sultan, Nahal and Abi from their education team.

Published in 2022, Welcoming and Valuing International Medical Graduates sets out what a high-quality induction looks like. We’ve been proud to work with partners, including NHS England – London, the British Medical Association and the Medical Protection Society, to support trusts like Barts Health in embedding its principles and ensuring every internationally qualified doctor receives the welcome and support they deserve.

21/11/2025

Today we’re pleased to launch The state of medical education and practice in the UK: workforce report 2025.

The report analyses trends across the UK’s medical workforce, drawing on a wide range of data sources to provide insights for policymakers, workforce planners, and healthcare leaders.

Global talent has been central to UK health services since the inception of the NHS. In recent years, internationally trained doctors have formed an ever-increasing proportion of the profession. However, this year’s report indicates that greater numbers of doctors who qualified outside of the UK left practice last year.

Whatever the future makeup of the workforce, it’s essential that all doctors are recognised for their contributions and are supported and valued accordingly. Ensuring this is crucial not only for those providing care, but for the patients who rely on them, both now and in the future.

In this blog, Kwaku Baryeh, an Education Fellow, shares how he and colleagues have developed their approach to induction and career support for internationally qualified doctors.

At the heart of the hub’s induction programme is our Welcome to UK practice workshop, in keeping with recommendations from Welcoming and Valuing International Medical Graduates.

Through collaboration across NHS Trusts, the hub is aiming to help doctors feel part of the system from day one and stay for the long term.

To read Kwaku’s blog and the full report, follow the link in the comments below.

29/05/2025

We’ve updated the guidance we use to assess a doctor’s fitness to practise, to support a fairer, more flexible and compassionate approach — and to make our decision-making more transparent.

The updates include a new framework to guide decisions at every stage of the process when considering concerns. Anthony Omo, General Counsel and Director of Fitness to Practise at the GMC, said:

‘Protecting the public is at the heart of what we do. This new and updated guidance will make it easier for our case examiners and decision makers to apply our principles fairly and consistently, while at the same time maintaining patient safety.

And by being transparent about our approach we are making it easier for doctors, complainants and the public to understand how we assess concerns and reach decisions about a doctor’s fitness to practise.’

The updated range of guidance can be found on our website - https://www.gmc-uk.org/concerns/information-for-doctors-under-investigation/how-we-make-decisions.

Scroll through the images below to explore the new framework, which is based on three key questions.

15/05/2025

A gem from the archives for anyone interested in Sir Archie McIndoe! 🎧✨

Thanks to the team at the University of Otago Alumni & Friends, you can now listen to a fascinating radio tribute recorded after McIndoe’s death in 1960. It features Rainsford Mowlem — fellow plastic surgeon, Otago alum, and pre-war colleague in London — reflecting on McIndoe’s remarkable life and work.

Mowlem also made his mark during WWII, pioneering early bone grafting techniques and contributing to the first penicillin trials while based in St Albans.

Listen to the recording below!

And if you haven’t yet seen our blog on McIndoe and the Guinea Pig Club, it’s well worth a read: https://gmcuk.wordpress.com/2025/05/02/doctors-of-world-war-two-archie-mcindoe-and-his-guinea-pigs/

Next week sees the eightieth anniversary of VE Day. Victory in Europe was declared on 8 May 1945, although the war didn’t officially end until the Japanese surrender later in the year. Many doctors…

02/05/2025

We're pleased to share the The Royal College of Surgeons of England's launch of the 2025 UK-wide surgical workforce census. This important initiative will gather valuable data on the demographics, working practices, and wellbeing of surgeons across the UK.

As an organisation committed to supporting healthcare professionals and maintaining high standards in education, training, and practice, we're glad to help highlight this important work.

The 2025 UK surgical workforce census is now open.

It’s quick, confidential and crucial. Your voice helps us push for real change where it matters most, from tackling workforce shortages to improving wellbeing and training.

Take the census now: https://ow.ly/G4y650VKnBk

02/05/2025

It’s been over four months since we became a multiprofessional regulator!

Take a look at some of the highlights from our work so far regulating physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) – and how we’re helping to make sure they meet the standards needed to deliver good, safe patient care. 👇

You can also read more about our progress in our latest update to four country healthcare leaders - https://www.gmc-uk.org/news/news-archive/implementing-pa-and-aa-regulation-progress-so-far

24/04/2025

Supervising, delegating and working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals is an essential part of delivering good patient care. That’s why we’ve published a new ethical hub page for doctors who supervise physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs).

PAs and AAs are healthcare professionals who work under the overall supervision of a named senior doctor. They provide patient care as part of multidisciplinary teams in primary care, secondary care and in the community.

Our supervision ethical hub page sets out the relevant professional standards when supervising PAs and AAs. It brings together key principles from Good medical practice and relevant guidance into a single resource to help doctors provide effective supervision.

Read our ethical hub for more information – https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/ethical-hub/supervision-of-physician-associates-and-anaesthesia-associates