A Compassionate Approach to Fitness to Practise Defence
Fitness to practise investigations are traumatic experiences. We never lose sight of the human aspects of fitness to practise investigations and hearings.
Doctors, adverse health and fitness to practise
We consider what doctors should know and what action might be necessary to avoid an investigation and sanction.
Employer Referrals – What doctors should know
Responsible Officers can make a referral to the GMC if there have been “serious concerns” raised about a doctor’s fitness to practise.
Fitness to Practise in Review – 2022
As 2023 draws to a close, we take a look at fitness to practise in 2023 in our annual fitness to practise review.
Responding to NMC Investigations
During a NMC investigation, nurses have an opportunity to respond to enquiries and this could influence the outcome of the investigation but it is essential that legal advice is sought at an early stage.
“Trivial gifts, favours and hospitality” – Managing Conflict of Interests
Nurses & midwives should be careful in accepting gifts, favours and hospitality to avoid causing conflicts of interest and potentially jeopardising their fitness to practise.
Fitness to practise & do’s and do not’s of using social media
The do’s and do not’s of using social media in the context of health and care professions, and how social media can result in fitness to practise issues arising.
Responding to GMC Provisional Enquiries
The GMC’s provisional enquiries identifies cases that should not progress to an full fitness to practise investigation. How should doctors respond?
Will lessons be learnt from Dr Arora?
Dr Arora treatment by the GMC & MPTS has caused universal anger and outrage. A review of the case drew strong criticism of the GMC but will this result on long overdue change?
GMC Investigation Committee – A Doctor’s Rights Explained
Where Case Examiners consider a warning but the doctor disputes the facts or is not willing to accept a warning, they have a right to an oral hearing.
Admissions by dental professionals at the preliminary stage of a fitness to practise hearing
The Dental Professionals Hearings Service is changing the way that admissions made by dental professionals are handled at the preliminary stage of a fitness to practise hearing.
MPTS Hearings and Attendance by Doctors
Do doctors have to attend their MPTS hearings and what are the consequences for doctors who chose not to do so?
Interim Order Extension Appeals
Dr K v GMC perfectly illustrates the value and importance of responding to an Interim Order extension application.
Contextual factors in GMC fitness to practise investigations
“The effects of contextual factors” are relevant in GMC fitness to practise investigations. To what extent are contextual factors relevant, and how can a doctor make their case?
HCPTS refuse HCPC’s application for an interim order
Stephen persuade HCPTS to refuse an application by the HCPC to impose an interim order for a client accused of theft and dishonesty.