GDC Alters FTP Aiming To Reach Conclusions Sooner
- Details
- Published: Monday, 28 November 2022 08:06
- Written by Peter Ingle
- Hits: 1578
Recent changes to the Fitness to Practice (FTP) process have now been put into operation by the GDC.
The GDC have repeatedly come under fire for unnecessary delays in FTP. This criticism has come not just from the ‘usual suspects’ but also, and repeatedly, from the Professional Standards Authority (PSA), the regulators regulator.
It has been shown that registrants and complainants suffer a variety of avoidable delays before cases can be determined. There is potential for a reduction in the damage to wellbeing and mental health for suffered by those involved, if cases did not take longer than necessary.
The GDC have now made changes to the treatment of admissions, which may help to help reduce the backlog of cases and their duration. To explain the role of admissions it is worth briefly summarising the four stages of the FTP process, which begins with the preliminary stage. Where an admission is made at this stage, the practice committee at the second stage will proceed on the basis that the facts have been proved. This is a change from the previous process which required the presentation of evidence in relation to all charges. This should, where some charges are not disputed, reduce the duration of proceedings to the benefit of both that registrant, and all those caught up behind them in the GDC “queue.”
There may be an issue particularly for unrepresented registrants, or those who are overwhelmed by the considerable stresses of the FTP process, admitting to charges when innocent. The committee have the power to intervene and request that the charges are considered in the normal way with the GDC required to “prove” them. As a result a great deal hangs on the committee’s judgement in the case of such vulnerable registrants. It would be reassuring if the GDC could share details of what, if any, training they have received in this area.
The GDC says that the change is being implemented as part of a wider programme of work to improve its performance in fitness to practise.
The full guidance on these changes can be found at, Guidance on Admissions made at the Preliminary Stage of Fitness to Practise Hearings (dentalhearings.org)
Commenting to GDPUK, Stephen Henderson, Head of Dental at MDDUS said, “We welcome the changes to Fitness to Practise guidance implemented by the GDC. These changes should shorten hearings by narrowing the issues for a panel.” He went on to add, “This change only affects those referred for a hearing. We urge the GDC to address the backlog of cases that are in the queue for a Case Examiner decision. These delays cause stress for registrants waiting in the vacuum between request for records and a decision.”
It is a reflection on the stresses that FTP is now putting upon registrants that some indemnifiers have felt it necessary to offer members confidential emotional and well-being support, in the case of MDDUS via its YourHalo service.
Post script:
By all accounts the GDC’s optimistically named Communications and Engagement team keep an eye on GDPUK and do not approve of the critical nature of some pieces about them. This story about a change which has potential to be good news for all concerned, has been bumped down from publication twice by two other GDC related stories. These reported on disingenuous statements by the Council relating to registrant suicides and changes to the FTP process. GDPUK would be delighted to have more positive news from the GDC.
Over to you, Communications and Engagement.
You need to be logged in to leave comments.
Report