As an institution the GMC is dysfunctional, incompetent and arrogant

Dr Peter Terry

The conference also severely criticised plans put forward by the GMC to introduce regular performance checks on doctors, describing them as "Draconian".

Dr Peter Terry, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, proposed the motion, describing the GMC as "dysfunctional, incompetent and arrogant".

'Draconian and inefficient'

He said: "The GMC is not defending self-regulation. Introducing Draconian and inefficient policies will lose our policies."

He said that some of the changes to the makeup of the GMC were "external regulation by any other name."

The vote is a further blow to the GMC on the day that an official inquiry report suggested that some of the GMC's powers should be taken over by NHS-controlled bodies.

The Ritchie Inquiry recommended changes to the way the medical profession is regulated in the wake of the Rodney Ledward scandal.

The surgeon's botched gynaecological operations left scores of women permanently damaged.

'Protection for patients'

The GMC has been trying to convince ministers that it is capable of effectively rooting out incompetent doctors who might harm patients.

It has proposed changing its own make-up to include a higher proportion of non-medical, or lay members.

This has also sparked accusations that the profession would no longer be regulating itself.

Its chief executive Finlay Scott said: "It is ironic that these motions have been passed on the day when the Ritchie Report makes absolutely plain the need for more effective systems to ensure that patients are protected.

"We are engaged in a programme of far reaching reform that will complement the Government's plans within the NHS.

"Revalidation will ensure that doctors are fully up to date and fit to practise whatever their chosen field, in both the NHS and the private sector.

"We are committed to ensuring that the systems that we introduce are effective, and are determined not to be blown off course".