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Health and Social Care Bill

The medical director’s line of accountability will continue to be to the board. Clearly, responsible officers will need to work closely with the GMC over issues relating to the revalidation of doctors’ fitness to practise. I think that the noble Baroness may be confusing the post of responsible officer outlined in the Bill with people who take responsibility. Obviously, they are not the same. The GMC says: "““The establishment of ‘responsible officers’ at a local level means that for the first time there will be a nominated individual at a local level who will have a statutory responsibility for fitness to practise matters. We also welcome the clear distinction between the roles of responsible officers and those of the GMC. Responsible officers will be locally employed and not be employees of the GMC. Their appointment will strengthen local arrangements and is not an extension of the GMC’s powers to the local level””."