The 35 members of the General Medical Council (GMC) this morning gathered at the Culloden Hotel on the outskirts of Belfast to discuss a wide range of issues such as processes for dealing with complaints about doctors and how it can engage with medical students.

Professor Sir Graeme Catto, GMC President, said he had great pleasure in bringing the Council to meet in the province for the first time.

"Meeting here means that members of the public can come along and see exactly what we do and how the Council makes decisions," he said.

"Our office here (in Northern Ireland) has only been open a year and a half and it has already started building strong relationships with the local health community - helping us ensure the effective regulation of Northern Ireland's 6,000 plus doctors."

The GMC, which regulates the UK's 240,000 doctors, opened a Northern Ireland office in December 2005, although its policy has been effective in the province throughout its history.

Its statutory role covers the whole of the UK and involves promoting high standards of medical education, setting standards for doctors, maintaining the register of qualified doctors and ensuring doctors' fitness to practise.

Sir Graeme said: "Having a dedicated and active presence in Northern Ireland allows the GMC to respond effectively to devolution and engage directly with local audiences, taking their views into account when developing policy and guidance for doctors".

The Council's 35 members were set to discuss how to take forward proposed changes to the GMC's function outlined in a recent government White Paper.

They also debated issues including an audit from King's College London about the GMC's processes for dealing with complaints about doctors, how the GMC can engage with medical students and new procedures for 'consensual disposal' - where doctors recognise problems and are prepared to accept restrictions on their registration.