The General Medical Council (GMC) was established under the Medical Act of 1858. We have strong and effective legal powers designed to maintain the standards the public have a right to expect of doctors. We are not here to protect the medical profession - their interests are protected by others. Our job is to protect patients. The public trust doctors to set and monitor their own professional standards. In return doctors must give their patients high-quality medical care. Where any doctor fails to meet those standards, we act to protect patients from harm - if necessary, by striking the doctor off the register and removing their right to practise medicine. Our legal authority is the Medical Act, which gives us powers to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public. We are also a charity (registration number 1089278) whose purpose is the protection, promotion and maintenance of the health and safety of the community.