Profile of the GMC. 1978 and all that.

Since its inception in 1858 the General Medical Council has struggled with the difficult job of maintaining both public and professional interests, and many of the criticisms made of it now have been made since then. Its latest "revolution" grew out of protests mademostly by doctors-during the late 1960s and early 1970s and culminated in the Medical Act 1978. Now a new head of steam is building up for further reform, with much of the pressure coming this time from parliament and the public. A brief historical sketch should make it easier to understand the current concerns.