Reacting to the publication this week of the government consultation on regulating professionals and protecting the public, Dr Caroline Fryar, MDU head of advisory services said:
"For many years the MDU has been calling for the GMC to be given the necessary powers for it to be a more agile and efficient regulator. Many of the proposed reforms announced today are centred around changes to the fitness to practise (FTP) process. Being investigated by the regulator is extremely stressful for medical professionals, so any reforms that can deliver a fairer and swifter process have the potential to be positive.
"Doctors are to be the first healthcare professionals subject to a new three-tier fitness to practise regime. We will be working closely with the regulator over the coming months as it creates new rules in readiness for this legislation. Amongst the changes, it is proposed that case examiners will now have considerably more power in the FTP process – including issuing what they deem to be appropriate sanctions. The MDU will be seeking assurances about how this process can be established in the relatively short time frame that is proposed by the government. Fairness to registrants is a paramount concern for us.
"These are complex issues, so we will be considering the fine print carefully and responding to the consultation on behalf of members."
This page was correct at publication on 26/03/2021. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.