The document applies to all GPs, whether or not they are principals, and
whether or not they are working in the NHS.

It is at the core of revalidation and appraisals

All doctors should be familiar with this document

All patients are entitled to good standards of practice and care from their
doctors. Essential elements of this are professional competence; good
relationships with patients and colleagues; and observance of professional
ethical obligations.
GMC Good Medical Practice, paragraph 1

An excellent GP meets the ‘excellent GP’ criteria all or nearly all of the time.
A good GP meets most of the ‘excellent GP’ criteria most of the time.
A poor GP consistently or frequently provides care described by the
‘unacceptable GP’ criteria.

The General Medical Council (GMC) has described the duties of a doctor as follows:
Patients must be able to trust doctors with their lives and well-being. To justify that trust,
we as a profession have a duty to maintain a good standard of practice and care and to show respect for human life. In particular as a doctor you must:

• make the care of your patient your first concern;
• treat every patient politely and considerately;
• respect patients' dignity and privacy;
• listen to patients and respect their views;
• give patients information in a way they can understand;
• respect the rights of patients to be fully involved in decisions about their care;
• keep your professional knowledge and skills up to date;
• recognise the limits of your professional competence;
• be honest and trustworthy;
• respect and protect confidential information;
• make sure that your personal beliefs do not prejudice your patients' care;
• act quickly to protect patients from risk if you have good reason to believe that
you or a colleague may not be fit to practise;
• avoid abusing your position as a doctor; and
• work with colleagues in the ways that best serve patients' interests.