Press Round Up: Regulatory and Professional Discipline October 2026

The General Medical Council (GMC) has published its annual fitness to practise statistics for doctors, with new data about concerns are assessed and progressed through the regulatory process. The publication provides details on the number of concerns received, the outcomes of investigations, and the use of regulatory sanctions during 2025.

During 2025, the GMC triaged 13,465 concerns, representing a 25% increase from 10,769 concerns in 2024. However, the vast majority of concerns did not proceed to a full investigation, with 12,146 cases closed at the triage stage because they did not meet the statutory threshold for regulatory action. The GMC noted that decisions at this stage take into account factors such as seriousness, patient safety and whether the concern falls within its regulatory remit.

Of the cases considered by GMC case examiners during 2025, 184 were referred to an independent tribunal, 110 resulted in warnings and 60 concluded with undertakings restricting a doctor’s practice. Tribunals ultimately struck off 48 doctors and suspended 68, with the regulator emphasising that serious fitness to practise action affected only a small proportion of the medical profession. The GMC said the enhanced reporting aims to improve understanding of regulatory decision-making and encourage informed discussion about patient safety and professional regulation.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has published new standards for the initial education and training of pharmacy technicians, reflecting what it describes as significant changes to the role over the past decade and the expanding responsibilities undertaken by pharmacy technicians across healthcare settings. The regulator said the revised standards are intended to ensure future registrants possess the knowledge, skills and professional judgement required to deliver safe and effective patient care.

The standards introduce several notable changes, including raising the minimum academic level of study, requiring trainee pharmacy technicians to demonstrate competence in final accuracy checking before registration, and introducing a minimum science qualification (or equivalent) as an entry requirement. The standards also provide greater flexibility in how supervised workplace learning can be completed while retaining the existing minimum two-year training period.

The GPhC stated that the reforms were developed following extensive engagement with patients, pharmacy professionals, employers, education providers and representative bodies. New education and training programmes are expected to commence from 2028, with full implementation not anticipated before autumn 2029. Existing registered pharmacy technicians and those currently undertaking training will not be affected by the changes.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has announced a further reform of its fitness to practise process through the introduction of Legally Qualified Chairs to lead certain hearings. The regulator says the change is intended to deliver a faster, fairer and more consistent approach to fitness to practise proceedings while maintaining independent decision-making and public protection. The reform follows the NMC Council’s approval of new fitness to practise rules in April 2026.

The new rules, which come into force on 1 October 2026, will allow the NMC to appoint experienced solicitors, barristers and advocates as Legally Qualified Chairs. These individuals will combine the existing roles of Panel Chair and Legal Assessor, with the regulator arguing that this will reduce duplication, improve case management and enable complex hearings to progress more efficiently. The NMC noted that similar arrangements are already used by other healthcare regulators.

The General Dental Council (GDC) has published new research examining participants’ experiences of its fitness to practise process. The research draws on survey responses collected between 2023 and 2025 from 570 dental professionals who were the subject of concerns and 645 individuals who raised concerns.

The findings indicate modest improvements in satisfaction, communication and trust in the fitness to practise process since 2023. However, the length of investigations and the level of support available to participants remain the most commonly identified areas for improvement.

The GDC reported that perceptions of fairness and satisfaction were influenced not only by case outcomes but also by participants’ experiences throughout the process, particularly the quality of communication and how cases were handled. The regulator stated that it will use the findings to inform further improvements aimed at reducing the impact of investigations on both professionals and complainants while maintaining patient protection.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has issued a warning notice reminding solicitors and law firms of their professional obligations when using artificial intelligence (AI). The notice reflects the growing use of AI across the legal sector for activities including legal research, drafting, document review and administrative functions, and emphasises that technological innovation does not alter regulatory responsibilities.

While acknowledging the potential benefits of AI for efficiency and service delivery, the SRA highlighted a number of significant risks. These include “hallucinations” generating inaccurate legal research, advice or court submissions, as well as the possibility of confidential client information being entered into systems without appropriate safeguards, creating risks around confidentiality and data protection compliance.

The regulator stressed that solicitors remain responsible for the work they produce regardless of whether AI tools are used. It revealed that it received 42 reports relating to the potential misuse of AI between July 2025 and July 2026 and confirmed that a number of investigations remain ongoing.

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has announced a temporary pause on new applications through its Transferring Qualified Lawyer (TQL) process for applicants who do not have a confirmed route to practice in England and Wales. The regulator said the decision forms part of wider efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its frontline services and address a growing volume of applications from individuals who are unlikely to practice within the jurisdiction.

Under the revised approach, the BSB will only accept TQL applications where applicants can demonstrate a clear route into practice, such as an offer of pupillage with an authorised training provider or an offer of tenancy or employment requiring a practising certificate for the Bar of England and Wales. The regulator confirmed that the pause will not affect cases involving existing reciprocal arrangements or international arbitration matters seated in England and Wales.

The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has published its first report on the mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme introduced in 2025 following recommendations arising from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. The report indicates a high level of engagement from the profession, with more than 85% of architects initially complying with the new statutory requirements.

While describing the first year of the scheme as a successful start, the ARB identified a number of areas requiring further development. In particular, the regulator found that although architects were generally completing CPD activities, the quality of reflective learning varied significantly. Some records focused on activities undertaken rather than demonstrating what had been learned and how that learning had influenced professional practice.

The report signals the regulator’s intention to develop the scheme beyond simple compliance measures. By 2030, the ARB aims to establish a more mature framework that supports architects in identifying learning needs, reflecting meaningfully on professional development and applying new knowledge in practice, whilst providing public assurance regarding continuing competence.

Jack Garden has experience investigating and preparing cases for a wide range of healthcare, education and legal services regulators. He is comfortable with technical expert evidence and working with witnesses on sensitive and high-profile matters.