Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made on merging specialist and GP registers; and if he will make a statement.

As set out in our response to the Regulating healthcare professionals, protecting the public consultation, published on 17 February 2023, the Government is committed to modernising the regulatory framework for doctors as a top priority.

The details of the changes to the General Medical Council’s (GMC) legislation, as they relate to doctors, are still to be worked through and will be subject to public consultation and the affirmative parliamentary procedure. These reforms will provide the GMC with greater flexibility to set out its own registration procedures in relation to post-graduate medical specialities in rules and guidance. Before taking forward any changes, the GMC will be required to cooperate with relevant bodies and consult on its proposals.