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Privacy and cookies notice

Research consultations and audits

Research

We undertake research and carry out surveys on a range of topics to support our regulatory functions related to registration, fitness to practise, and education and training.

We generate statistical data based on the information we hold, for example GMC Data Explorer.

We conduct research internally or partner with third parties. Collaboration with third party research organisations may be funded by the GMC. 

Consultations and forums

We run consultations on a range of topics and facilitate advisory forums related to our regulatory functions. Although we have a legitimate interest to contact relevant cohorts, they can opt out at any time by letting us know.

Why we hold it

We ask respondents for their email addresses so that we can confirm registration on our consultation site, contact them if they forget their password and let them know about any upcoming consultations that are in line with their interests, where they have asked us to do so. As part of the consultation analysis process, we process the names and contact information of respondents, as well as their answers.

What we hold

We hold this information so that we can conduct research and analysis of the responses and keep in touch with respondents about the outcome of the consultation. 

How we share it

At the end of the consultation process, we will publish reports explaining our findings and conclusions. We won’t include any personally identifiable information in these reports but may include illustrative quotes from consultation responses. We may also supply responses to third parties for quality assurance or to approved research projects, which are anonymised before disclosure where possible.

Audit

Why we hold it

We may share personal data for audit purposes to ensure that we are carrying out our functions in a fair, consistent, and robust way. We conduct audits internally or commission them with independent organisations.

What we hold

The personal data which we use to carry out our regulatory functions can also be used for audit purposes. This includes registration information, demographic information, employment and fitness to practise history, and details of complaints.

How we share it

We share personal data with auditors when it is necessary to do so. We only share what is necessary for the audit, using secure methods. When we publish audit reports or statistics, we apply disclosure controls to make sure individuals can't be identified from the data.