The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has published its response to the Department of Health and Social Care’s consultation on reforming the General Medical Council’s legislative framework, broadly supporting the draft 2026 GMC Order while highlighting several areas where greater clarity and refinement are needed.
The regulator says the proposals represent a welcome shift toward a more modern, flexible and responsive model of professional regulation, one that can adapt more quickly to service‑user needs and sector change. As the UK’s largest multi‑professional regulator, the HCPC emphasises that consistency across regulators is important—but must be balanced with bespoke measures that reflect the differing contexts and risks across professions.
Key points from the HCPC’s response
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Support for the overall direction of reform, particularly the move toward a more agile regulatory framework.
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Calls for clearer commencement arrangements, noting that the timing and phasing of implementation will be critical to ensuring safe and effective transition.
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Concerns about PSA evidence‑gathering powers, with the HCPC seeking clarity to ensure these powers are proportionate and workable across multi‑professional regulation.
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Requests for refinement of fitness to practise grounds, arguing that the draft provisions should better align with the overarching objectives of regulatory reform.
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Emphasis on future legislative developments, framing its response within the wider programme of regulatory modernisation across healthcare professions.
The HCPC’s position reinforces a growing consensus among regulators: while the GMC’s outdated 1983 framework needs replacing, the success of reform will depend on careful implementation, proportionate oversight and clear legislative drafting.
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