What’s happened 

The Royal College of Podiatry has responded to a government consultation on proposed reforms to the legislation governing the General Medical Council (GMC).  

The consultation, run by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Scottish Government, opened on 24 March and closed on 21 July. 

It sought views on changes to the way the GMC regulates doctors, physician associates and anaesthesia associates across the UK. 

Proposals include changes to governance, education and training oversight, fitness to practise processes and the GMC’s rule-making powers.  

The consultation also covered proposed changes to professional titles and recommendations made by Lord Mann following his review into antisemitism and other forms of racism in healthcare.  

Although the proposals relate specifically to the GMC, the College believes they could have wider implications for the future regulation of healthcare professions, including podiatry.  

The College’s response 

The College sees the proposals as part of a wider programme of regulatory reform that could ultimately affect Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) regulated professions. 

A modern regulatory framework 

The College supports the principle of modernising healthcare regulation but argues that greater flexibility must not come at the expense of transparency, accountability or public protection. 

It says this is particularly important as multidisciplinary working and advanced practice roles continue to develop across NHS services. 

Changes to professional title 

The College warned that changes to professional titles could create confusion for patients and blur professional boundaries. 

It called for titles to be clear and consistent, alongside appropriate regulatory standards across professions. 

An enhanced role for education 

The College also emphasised the importance of education and training in supporting advanced practice.  

It argued that advanced practice should be underpinned by structured education, clear accountability and a defined scope of practice to protect patients.  

Why this matters to members 

The reforms apply to the GMC, but the College is of the opinion that the principles underpinning them could have implications for future reform of other healthcare regulators, including the HCPC.  

For podiatrists, the significance therefore goes beyond the immediate changes proposed for the GMC.  

The College believes engaging with regulatory reform at an early stage gives the profession an opportunity to make its position clear on issues including professional boundaries, advanced practice, education and public protection. 

Links and references 

• GOV.UK: Reforming the General Medical Council legislative framework 

• The Royal College of Podiatry's response to the UK government's consultation on reforming the General Medical Council legislative framework