Further written evidence to be reported to the House
Health and Social Care Bill
4:00 pm
Lady Justice Smith: I did not have much evidence about what the proportions should be. I felt that the proportions were wrong in the GMC at the time and that lay members were not carrying sufficient influence. I recognised that as the GMC was organised at that time—and I think that this will change—it needed quite a lot of medical members to carry out particular functions that required professional qualifications. I did not want to denude it by suggesting that the number of medical members should be reduced too drastically. Besides, it might surprise you to know that I did not want to frighten the horses too much either. I am very content with the proposal here that there should be equal numbers. I also see that the nature of the GMC is to change so that it becomes less of a council and more of a board. How that will work and whether it is a good idea, I just do not know. I have no view on that.