Protecting patients

A wide variety of organisations are involved in ensuring doctors, nurses and other health professionals work to the highests standards and patients are protected from 'rogue' practitioners. But who does what and how do they work?

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GMC: Guiding doctors
The General Medical Council has been regulating doctors for more than 150 years and has strong procedures for dealing with poorly-performing practitioners.

NMC: Protecting the public
The Nursing and Midwifery Council has been regulating nurses since 2002 and decides who can and who cannot practise in the UK.

GDC: Supporting dentists
The General Dental Council has been regulating dentists, hygienists and dental therapists for almost 40 years.

Regulation of other practitioners
Some health professionals have been subject to statutory regulation for many years; others are set to follow in the coming years.

How the NHS deals with complaints
When it is not appropriate to complain directly to the regulatory bodies, patients can air their grievances through the NHS.