General Dental Council (GDC) Defence Barrister
I am a leading medical and healthcare defence barrister acting for a range of dental practitioners in all matters relating to their fitness to practise before the General Dental Council (GDC).
I am a leading medical and healthcare defence barrister, acting for a range of dental practitioners in all matters relating to their fitness to practise before the General Dental Council (GDC).
Recent testimonials
Mr McCaffrey and his team are beyond excellent.. I cannot thank them enough for their sheer dedication, expertise and efforts which went above and beyond their call of duty in my case.
Due to their hard work and I am now back to work and I cannot thank Stephen McCaffrey enough for his support during my difficult and traumatic time.
Quite frankly, the service they provide is extremely good value. I am sincerely grateful to both of them and cannot recommend them highly enough.
My case was dealt with speed and efficiency, highly recommend the service provided by Stephen McCaffrey
I represent and advise a range of dental practitioners before the General Dental Council, including:
- Dentists
- Dental therapists and dental hygienists
- Dental nurses
- Dental technicians
- Clinical dental technicians
- Orthodontic therapists
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
I act for dentists and other dental practitioners from both the NHS and private sector who work in across the UK (England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland).
Any dentist or dental practitioner facing proceedings before any General Dental Council (GDC) committee, must seek specialist legal advice at the earliest opportunity for the best outcome. Because of my experience in the criminal courts and other adversarial tribunals my special expertise is at contested hearings. However good strategy has meant that more often my clients are not even reaching that stage of proceedings.
Contact me today for an initial free and no obligation consultation on 0207 060 1983 or Stephen.McCaffrey@kingsviewchambers.com.
General Dental Council (GDC) Disciplinary Process
All dentists and dental practitioners are expected to work to the fitness to practise standards set by the General Dental Council (GDC). Where the GDC receives complaints or concerns about the fitness of a dentist or dental practitioner to practise, they will investigate the complaint and may decide to instigate formal disciplinary procedures.
The GDC Investigating Committee is responsible for investigating allegations to assess grounds and evidence and decides whether it should be considered by one of the fitness to practise committees:
- Professional Performance Committee
- Health Committee
- Professional Conduct Committee
The Investigating Committee can also deicide to issue an interim order which can result in an interim suspension or conditional registration. Sanctions available are either an ‘interim suspension order’ for up to 18 months or an ‘order for interim conditional registration’ for up to 18 months.
If at the conclusion of the investigation the Investigating Committee is of the view that sufficient evidence is available investigation is required, it will refer the matter to one of the fitness to practise committees listed above, depending on the nature of the complaint or allegation.
If one of the fitness to practise committees concludes that a dentist or dental practitioner’s fitness is not impaired, it can give a warning or advice regarding future conduct. If, however, a fitness to practise committee has found that a dentist or dental practitioner’s fitness has been impaired it can issue one of the following sanctions:
- removal from register (only by Professional Conduct Committee);
- registration suspended for up to 12 months;
- conditional registration for up to 3 years;
- suspension/conditional registration may be extended at a later date.
If the investigating committee concludes there is no case to answer, it will close the investigation and may provide advice or issue a warning.
Contact me today
If you have been notified by the General Dental Council (GDC) that you’re under investigation or are facing difficulties with your registration, contact me today for an initial free and no obligation consultation on 0207 060 1983 or Stephen.McCaffrey@kingsviewchambers.com
Contact Stephen
Contact Stephen today for a confidential free no obligation case conference.
Recent Blog & News
Fitness to practise implications when a pharmacy is the subject of enforcement action
The GPhC has a range of enforcement powers that will carry fitness to practise implications for pharmacists and pharmacy owners.
HCPC close case following Stephen’s intervention
Dr Brown approached us for advice at very early stages of an internal investigation which was proceeding a disciplinary and an HCPC referral.
The Future of Fitness to Practise – DHSC Consultation Response
The Department for Health and Social Care has published its response to proposals to reform fitness to practise in the UK.
General Pharmaceutical Council’s Provisional Enquiries
We explain the GPhC’s initial enquiries process and what a pharmacist should do when they are under investigation.
HCPC registrant avoids suspension
Stephen successfully resists HCPC application for immediate suspension for client accused of lack of competence alongside integrity issues.
Pharmaceutical Professional’s Fitness to Practise not Impaired
M instructed Kings View Chambers to represent them in a case involving dishonesty in the workplace.