Commenting on the report on the Shipman Inquiry and the report by Dame Janet Smith "Safeguarding Patients: Lessons from the Past - Proposals for the Future", Rodney Brooke, Chair of the General Social Care Council said:

“People who use services and the public interest have to be at the heart of the regulatory system: a position we completely endorse at the General Social Care Council. The GSCC has a majority of lay members on its conduct panels and Council, to make sure the interests of service users are put first.”

“Making sure that patients and the public can rely on doctors and the workforce is a vital role for the regulators. Indeed the GSCC was established to fulfil this need in relation to social care workers with a strong focus on public protection.”

“We welcome Dame Janet’s conclusions and are committed to ensuring that our own systems continue to protect the public and raise standards in social care.”

-Ends-

gscc 036.04
9 December 2004

Notes to editors

1. Media contact details:
Nigel Calvin 020 7397 5804
Out of hours: 07771 914 481

2. The General Social Care Council came into being on 1 October 2001. It has a lay chair and lay majority on its Council. It was set up in England under the Care Standards Act 2000 to establish codes of conduct and practice for social care workers and employers, to set up a register of social care workers and to regulate social work education and training. Similar bodies exist in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.