Medical and life sciences

Contact: Dorothy Flower and Sian Morgan

Medical and life sciences

Annual report for the Defence Medical Services inspection programme

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published their annual report on the inspection programme for Defence Medical Services (DMS), which provide medical care for HM Armed Forces. The programme ensures that members of the armed forces and their families are provided with equitable access to the same standard of care.

Find out more

General Dental Council publishes annual report

On 18 July 2024, the General Dental Council (GDC) published their 2023 Annual Report and Accounts. Amongst the key developments in the year, the GDC notes insights on the dental workforce, which continues to be an area of focus for their work supporting future workforce resource planning. 2023 also saw the establishment of a new Regulation directorate to bring together the Registration and Fitness to Practise functions. In addition, due to legislative changes, the GDC was able to carry out a consultation and consequentially formulate new rules for their internal registration processes.

Find out more

Medical and life sciences

Update on future regulation of physician associates and anaesthesia associates

On 5 June 2024, the General Medical Council (GMC) provided an update on their approach following the approval of legislation in England and Scotland that requires them to regulate physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) from December 2024. The GMC has consulted on the necessary implementation material and is now in the process of reviewing the responses. As part of their regulatory role, the GMC will ensure that standards of care and training for PAs and AAs meets satisfactory criteria, and they will also carry out investigations when required. The GMC has also already published guidance for employers to ensure effective clinical governance of PAs and AAs.

Find out more

The NMC's response to an independent review

Following an independent review into their culture, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has published a plan on how they will implement the recommendations included in the review. These include the establishment of an external Empowered to Speak Up Guardian; the appointment of an equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) advisor to the executive board; and investment to support psychological safety within the NMC. In addition, as part of their commitment to deliver cultural changes, the NMC will ensure diverse representation is reflected in the board, alongside increased spending on learning and development, among other areas of improvement. On a medium-term they will source further external advice to deliver the improvements the organisation needs.

Find out more