(1)There shall continue to be a body corporate known as the General Medical Council (in this Act referred to as “the General Council”) having the functions assigned to them by this Act.
[F1(1A)The main objective of the General Council in exercising their functions is to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public.]
(2)The General Council shall be constituted as provided by Her Majesty by Order in Council under this section subject to the provisions of Part I of Schedule 1 to this Act.
(3)There [F2shall be [F3seven]] committees of the General Council known as the Education Committee, [F4the Interim Orders Committee,] the Preliminary Proceedings Committee, the Professional Conduct Committee [F5, the Assessment Referral Committee, the Committee on Professional Performance] and the Health Committee (in this Act referred to as “the statutory committees”) constituted in accordance with Part III of Schedule 1 to this Act and having the functions assigned to them by [F5or under] this Act.
(4)Schedule 1 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the General Council, its branch councils and committees, its proceedings, its officers and its accounts.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 1(1A) inserted (17.12.2002) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3135), arts. 1(2)(b), 3 (with transitional provisions in Sch. 2)
F2Words in s. 1(3) substituted (1.1.1997) by 1995 c. 51, s. 4, Sch. para. 2(a); S.I. 1996/1631, art. 2(3)(b)
F3Word in s. 1(3) substituted (3.8.2000) by S.I. 2000/1803, art. 3(a)
F4Words in s. 1(3) inserted (3.8.2000) by S.I. 2000/1803, art. 3(b)
F5Words in s. 1(3) inserted (1.1.1997) by 1995 c. 51, s. 4, Sch. para. 2(b)(c); S.I. 1996/1631, art. 2(3)(b)