The British Medical Association's annual consultants' conference unanimously passed a motion of no confidence in the GMC, the profession's regulatory body, as it is at present constituted and functioning.
Delegates accused the GMC, made up of elected doctors and members of the public appointed by the Privy Council, of pandering to the media and politicians by making kneejerk responses and failing to convey a positive image of the profession.
Peter Hawker, chairman of the central consultants and specialists committee, said it was time the GMC "reformed itself and reformed itself radically".
He accused the GMC of failing to protect patients or to guide doctors.
The GMC has been under fire for some time because of the length of time it takes to adjudicate on cases brought against doctors.
Speaking against the motion Sir Denis Pereira-Gray, of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said the move would divide the British medical profession for the first time since the 19th century by splitting hospital doctors from GPs.
As expected, the hospital consultants rejected proposals for a new grade of specialist doctor to work alongside consultants.
Delegates unanimously passed a motion to resist at all costs the Department of Health's proposal.
