The most recent version of Good Medical Practice came into effect on 30 January 2024. This article explains what it contains, how it is structured, what has changed, and how it applies when a doctor faces a GMC complaint or investigation.
What Is GMC Good Medical Practice and Why Does It Matter?
Good Medical Practice sets out the standards of conduct, performance, and ethics that the GMC expects of every registered doctor. It defines what it means to be a good doctor and provides the benchmark against which the GMC assesses whether a doctor's conduct or performance is sufficient to maintain their registration.
When a concern is raised about a doctor, case examiners and MPTS panels routinely refer to Good Medical Practice to identify the specific standard engaged by the allegation. Familiarity with the document is therefore not a matter of professional courtesy — it is a regulatory obligation.
If your conduct is assessed as falling below the standard described in the guidance, and the departure is serious enough, fitness to practise may be found to be impaired.
The Four Domains of GMC Good Medical Practice
The 2024 edition of Good Medical Practice is structured around four interconnected domains. Each domain contains specific duties and obligations that apply to all registered doctors.
This domain covers the duty to maintain and develop the clinical competencies needed for your area of practice. It requires doctors to keep up to date with developments in their specialty, recognise the limits of their competence, and seek help or refer patients when necessary.
It also addresses performance concerns: doctors must not practise in an area in which they are not competent and must take prompt action if their performance is impaired by illness or other factors.
Continuing professional development sits within this domain. Doctors are required to engage with CPD activities that are relevant, regular, and evidenced. In fitness to practise proceedings, targeted CPD is a recognised and expected form of remediation.
This domain governs the clinical relationship between doctor and patient. It requires doctors to listen to patients, respect their autonomy, provide clear and accurate information about their condition and treatment options, and obtain valid consent.
It also covers record keeping: records must be clear, accurate, legible, and made at the time of or shortly after the clinical event. The concept of treating patients as individuals and showing respect for their dignity, beliefs, and values runs throughout this domain.
Failure to communicate honestly with patients, or failure to involve them meaningfully in decisions about their care, can engage this domain in fitness to practise proceedings.
This domain covers the doctor's obligations to colleagues, employers, and the healthcare system. It includes the duty to raise concerns about patient safety, to work constructively within teams, to support colleagues, and to contribute to a safe and inclusive working environment.
This domain also addresses leadership responsibilities and the duty to behave with integrity in all professional interactions, including with trainees and junior colleagues.
The 2024 edition significantly strengthened the language around raising concerns. Doctors now have a clearer duty to speak up when they observe poor practice, unsafe conditions, or discriminatory behaviour. Failing to raise a patient safety concern when one was identified can itself be a matter of fitness to practise.
Domain 4 covers probity, honesty, and professional conduct in all contexts — not only in clinical settings. It includes requirements around financial probity, research integrity, social media conduct, and honesty in all communications with patients, colleagues, employers, and regulatory bodies.
The 2024 edition expanded the scope of this domain to include online behaviour. Doctors are expected to maintain the same standards of professionalism on social media and in digital communications as in face-to-face settings. Posts that undermine public confidence in the profession or disrespect patients can fall within this domain.
Dishonesty remains one of the most serious categories of misconduct in fitness to practise proceedings. Dishonesty in any context — whether clinical, financial, or personal — can result in erasure where it is sufficiently serious.
Key Changes in Good Medical Practice 2024
- Strengthened duty to raise safety concerns and speak up about poor practice
- New provisions on inclusion, equality, and creating respectful workplace cultures
- Expanded guidance on social media and digital professionalism
- Clearer expectations around leadership and supervision of junior colleagues
- Updated guidance on health and wellbeing obligations, including seeking support
How Good Medical Practice Is Used in Fitness to Practise Proceedings
In fitness to practise proceedings, the allegation against a doctor will typically be framed around a departure from the standards in Good Medical Practice. The MPTS panel will consider which domain and which specific paragraph of the guidance is engaged, and will assess whether the doctor's conduct fell below the standard described.
In preparing a response to the GMC or a reflective statement for a hearing, you should identify the specific provisions of Good Medical Practice that apply to your case. Referencing the guidance directly — and explaining how you now understand the standard and how your practice reflects it — demonstrates a level of engagement with the regulatory framework that carries significant weight with panels.
Doctors who demonstrate a detailed understanding of Good Medical Practice in their written submissions and at hearings are generally better placed to demonstrate genuine insight and remediation.
Good Medical Practice and Continuing Professional Development
Domain 1 of Good Medical Practice places an explicit obligation on doctors to keep their skills and knowledge up to date through CPD. In the context of fitness to practise proceedings, completing targeted CPD courses is a recognised form of remediation. Panels look for CPD that is relevant to the specific concern raised, delivered by a credible provider, and certified.
All Probity & Ethics courses are independently accredited by the CPD Certification Service (CPDUK). Our courses are specifically designed to address the ethical and professional standards set out in Good Medical Practice — covering probity, patient communication, professional boundaries, and reflective practice.
Demonstrate Your Commitment to the GMC's Standards
Explore CPD courses aligned to Good Medical Practice — covering all four domains and specifically designed for doctors facing fitness to practise proceedings.
Explore CPD Courses Aligned to Good Medical PracticeFrequently Asked Questions
What is GMC Good Medical Practice?
Good Medical Practice is the GMC's core guidance document setting out the professional standards every registered doctor in the UK must meet. It carries statutory weight under the Medical Act 1983 and is the benchmark against which the GMC assesses conduct and performance in fitness to practise proceedings.
When did the latest version of Good Medical Practice come into effect?
The most recent edition of Good Medical Practice came into effect on 30 January 2024. It introduced strengthened duties around raising safety concerns, new provisions on inclusion and equality, expanded guidance on social media and digital professionalism, and updated expectations around leadership and supervision.
What are the four domains of Good Medical Practice?
The four domains are: Domain 1 — Knowledge, Skills, and Development; Domain 2 — Patients, Partnership, and Communication; Domain 3 — Colleagues, Culture, and Safety; and Domain 4 — Trust and Professionalism. Each domain contains specific duties and obligations that apply to all registered doctors.
How is Good Medical Practice used in GMC fitness to practise proceedings?
In fitness to practise proceedings, allegations against a doctor are typically framed around a departure from the standards in Good Medical Practice. MPTS panels identify the specific domain and paragraph engaged by the allegation and assess whether the doctor's conduct fell below the standard described. Referencing the guidance directly in written submissions demonstrates genuine engagement with the regulatory framework.
Does Good Medical Practice apply to social media?
Yes. The 2024 edition expanded Domain 4 to explicitly cover online behaviour. Doctors are expected to maintain the same standards of professionalism on social media and in digital communications as in face-to-face settings. Posts that undermine public confidence in the profession or disrespect patients can engage fitness to practise concerns.
What is the link between Good Medical Practice and CPD?
Domain 1 of Good Medical Practice places an explicit obligation on doctors to keep their skills and knowledge up to date through continuing professional development. In fitness to practise proceedings, targeted CPD in ethics, professionalism, and the standards set out in Good Medical Practice is a recognised form of remediation. See our courses for GMC remediation for details.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional regulatory advice. If you are facing GMC fitness to practise proceedings, seek independent legal advice from a solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and contact your medical defence organisation without delay.