(1)There shall continue to be a body corporate known as the General Medical Council (in this Act referred to as “the General Council”) having the functions assigned to them by this Act.
[F1(1A)The main objective of the General Council in exercising their functions is to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public.]
(2)The General Council shall be constituted as provided by Her Majesty by Order in Council under this section subject to the provisions of Part I of Schedule 1 to this Act.
[F2(3)The General Council shall have the following committees—
(a)the Education Committee,
(b)one or more Interim Orders Panels,
(c)one or more [F3Registration Panels],
(d)one or more Registration Appeals Panels,
(e)the Investigation Committee,
(f)one or more Fitness to Practise Panels,
constituted in accordance with Part III of Schedule 1 to this Act and having the functions assigned to them by or under this Act.
(3A)The committees of the General Council specified in paragraphs (a) to (f) of subsection (3) above are referred to in this Act as “the statutory committees”.]
(4)Schedule 1 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the General Council, its branch councils and committees, its proceedings, its officers and its accounts.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 1(1A) inserted (17.12.2002) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3135), arts. 1(2)(b), 3 (with transitional provisions in Sch. 2)
F2S. 1(3)(3A) substituted for s. 1(3) (1.11.2004 as notified in the London Gazette dated 8.10.2004) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3135), arts. 1(2)(3), 5(2) (with Sch. 2)
F3Words in s. 1(3)(c) substituted (19.7.2006 for specified purposes, 19.10.2007 in so far as not already in force as notified in the London Gazette dated 20.7.2007) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1914), art. 1(2)(b)(c)(3), 3(1)(a)