GMC sees 25% rise in fitness to practise concerns involving doctors

The number of fitness to practise concerns assessed by the General Medical Council increased by 25% last year, although the vast majority did not progress to a full investigation.

New figures published by the medical regulator show 13,465 concerns entered its initial triage process during 2025, compared with 10,769 in 2024. There were 410,566 doctors registered with the GMC during 2025.

Of the concerns assessed, 12,146, around nine in ten, were closed without a full investigation because they did not meet the required legal threshold. The GMC considers factors including the seriousness of a concern, potential risks to patients or public confidence and whether the issue falls within its regulatory responsibilities.

Cases considered serious enough for regulatory action can progress to a formal investigation before being considered by GMC case examiners. During 2025, examiners considered 679 cases, referring 184 to an independent tribunal. A further 110 doctors received warnings, 60 agreed restrictions on their practice known as undertakings and 16 received advice. The remaining 309 cases were closed without further action.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service held 160 tribunals during the year, with 124 resulting in a finding that a doctor’s fitness to practise was impaired.

Forty-eight doctors were struck off the medical register, while 68 were suspended and seven had conditions placed on their licence to practise. One impairment finding resulted in no further action. Another 34 doctors were found not to be impaired, although 11 of those received warnings.

More than 90% of cases brought before tribunals involved misconduct, criminal convictions or both. Misconduct covered issues including dishonesty and sexual misconduct.

GMC Chief Executive Charlie Massey stressed that serious regulatory action involves only a small proportion of the medical workforce, saying the “vast majority of doctors are dedicated to providing good and safe care”.

The figures form part of the GMC’s redesigned annual fitness to practise report, which provides more information about how concerns progress from initial assessment through investigation and, in the most serious cases, tribunal proceedings.

The regulator said the changes are intended to improve understanding of how fitness to practise decisions are made and the support available to patients, witnesses and professionals involved in investigations.

Massey said dealing with fitness to practise concerns was complex and that statistics alone could not provide the full picture. The GMC said clearer information about its processes could help people feel able to raise concerns while supporting confidence in professional regulation and patient care.

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