LDCs reissue open letter to GDC
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- Published: Wednesday, 06 August 2014 19:42
- Written by News Editor
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A total of 72 LDCs across England and Wales have written an open letter to GDC chair, William Moyes. They say in conclusion: “We believe currently the GDC does not understand the very profession it regulates. We, as a large group of LDCs, ask that the GDC addresses the current situation. We call for an independent, full and public review of the GDC, examining its recent conduct and the efficiency of its functions.”
The letter says: ‘The GDC is aware of the anger within the dental profession. Initially this anger was only directed at the proposed increase in Annual Retention Fee. However, the complaint advert in the Telegraph has united the profession in opposing the GDC and its conduct. The advertising was highly inappropriate, a waste of resources and undermines the public's confidence in a profession working hard in a challenging environment. The GDC is failing to promote direct local resolution in their national advertising campaign.’
The LDCs make a number of recommendations to the GDC:
1) That you meet urgently the LDCs and BDA to consider whether yourself and your executive can realistically remain in post given your stated positions and the damage caused by recent events.
2) The current GDC has lost the confidence of the professions it regulates; therefore we call for an urgent, full and independent public review of the effectiveness, proportionality and appropriateness of the body and processes with representation of all stakeholders.
3) The ARF should be calculated on actual costs, underpinned by a robust and transparent business case with due regard to existing legislation and guidance. If the cost of regulation falls, so should the ARF.
4) ALL single event complaints from patients which have NOT had an attempt at local resolution are returned to the complainant advising them that their complaint cannot be heard unless they refer their complaint to the practice in the first instance.
5) The GDC Standards for the Dental Team is re-written to remove reference to the NHS in sections 1.7.2 to 1.7.4. This should be replaced by a new standard calling for patients to be given a full range of clinical options and their prices.
The LDCs re-issued the open letter on August 6 as the GDC had not responded to the original one.
The letter can be read as a pdf by clicking here.
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