Nurse smiling at camera

Regulating health and care staff is a way of making sure people have the skills they need to care for you.  

Health and social care regulators do four things. 

  • Set standards of competence and conduct that health and care professionals must meet
  • Check the quality of education and training courses to make sure they give health and care students the skills and knowledge they need
  • Maintain a register that you can search
  • Investigate complaints about people on their register and decide if they should be allowed to continue to practice 

There are nine different health and care regulators in England. 


General Chiropractic Council

This organisation regulates chiropodists. Find out more


The General Dental Council

They regulate dentists and dental care professionals, including orthodontists.  Find out more


General Medical Council

This organisation regulates doctors. Find out more


General Optical Council

This organisation regulates opticians. Find out more


General Osteopathic Council

This organisation regulates osteopaths in the United Kingdom. Find out more


General Pharmaceutical Council

This organisations regulates pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the United Kingdom. Find out more


Health and Care Professions Council

This organisations regulates health, psychological and care professionals in the United Kingdom. Find out more


Nursing and Midwifery Council

This organisation regulates nurses and midwives. Find out more


Social Work England

This organisation regulates social workers in England. Find out more

 

The Professional Standards Authority 

All of the above nine regulators are overseen by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care. 

Find out more