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by: Hermione Hill
September 1, 2026
Blog
GMC investigations and MTPS proceedings
We help doctors and other healthcare professionals who are being investigated or prosecuted by the General Medical Council (GMC). We can advise upon and assist with applications for registration including for EEA nationals and overseas qualifications.
Our expertise includes:
- Advice and assistance with GMC investigations
- Defending proceedings before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service
- Advising on and opposing applications for interim Orders
- Advice and representation regarding Sanction
- Appeals to the High Court
- Advising on reporting obligations to the GMC
- Health assessments
Doctors are regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC), but there are other regulators responsible for the regulation and discipline of health care professionals. These include the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC), the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the General Optical Council (GOC). Broadly speaking, most of the regulators operate with similar principles and standards (see An overview of Regulatory and Disciplinary Proceedings).
If you are being investigated by the GMC, our specialist Disciplinary and Regulatory solicitors can provide expert legal advice and representation.
What is a GMC investigation?
The GMC receives thousands of complaints about doctors every year. The large majority of these complaints do not warrant an investigation and the case is closed at an early stage. If the GMC decides to investigate any concern then you will be notified and asked to provide written comments. Your employer will also be informed. You may be asked to undertake a health assessment depending on the nature of the investigation.
Am I required to report a criminal allegation against me?
You are required to tell the GMC without delay if you are charged or cautioned for any criminal offence anywhere in the world. There are also other obligations to report. For example, anti-social behaviour warnings or criticism of you in any inquiry or Tribunal. You should seek legal advice about this.
Interim Orders Committee
If the GMC commences an investigation then it may refer a doctor to the Interim Orders Committee (IOC) for a decision as to whether restrictions ought to be placed on his or her ability to practice. The IOC has the power to impose conditions on practice or order suspension. The overriding consideration will be the risk of harm to the public during the period of investigation.
What happens at the end of an investigation?
Once all of the evidence has been gathered, it will be considered by two senior ‘decision-makers’ (one medical and one non-medical). The GMC may decide to:
- Take no action
- Issue a warning
- Agree undertakings
- Refer the case to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS)
What is the MPTS?
The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service is the Tribunal which hears complaints referred to it by the GMC and applications for interim orders. A Tribunal of three persons consisting of at least one medical member and one non-medical member will hear the case against you which will be presented by the GMC. The burden is on the GMC to prove its case to the civil standard (i.e. ‘on a balance of probabilities’).
Sanction
If a case against a doctor is found to be proven by the MPTS then it can either take no action or impose the following sanctions:
- Accept undertakings
- Impose conditions on practice
- Suspend registration
- Erasure from the Register
Contact Our Regulatory Defence Team
If you are facing a regulatory investigation or prosecution, early legal advice could make all the difference. Whether you are in London or across England and Wales, contact one of our specialist regulatory defence solicitors to arrange a confidential consultation.
Call us on 020 7183 8950, email us or complete our secure online enquiry form.
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