(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 over-arching objective of the General Council in exercising their functions is the protection of the public.
(1B)The pursuit by the General Council of their over-arching objective involves the pursuit of the following objectives—
(a)to protect, promote and maintain the health, safety and well-being of the public,
(b)to promote and maintain public confidence in the medical profession, and
(c)to promote and maintain proper professional standards and conduct for members of that profession.]
[F2(2)The General Council shall be constituted as provided for by order of the Privy Council, subject to Part 1 of Schedule 1 to this Act.]
[F3(3)The General Council shall have the following committees—
F4(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b)one or more Interim Orders Panels,
(c)one or more [F5Registration 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 [F6paragraphs (c), (d) and (e)] 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)(1B) substituted for s. 1(1A) (3.8.2015) by The General Medical Council (Fitness to Practise and Over-arching Objective) and the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (References to Court) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/794), arts. 1(3), 21(1) (with art. 1(4)); S.I. 2015/1579, art. 2(l)
F2S. 1(2) substituted (1.1.2009) by The Health Care and Associated Professions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1774), art. 1(5), Sch. 1 para. 1; S.I. 2008/2556, art. 2(2)(a)(i)
F3S. 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)
F4S. 1(3)(a) omitted (1.1.2009) by virtue of The Medical Profession (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/3131), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 1(a)
F5Words 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)
F6Words in s. 1(3A) substituted (1.1.2009) by The Medical Profession (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/3131), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 1(b)