Glossary

This page provides information about our Fitness to Practise hearing process. It is part of our online guidance about hearings, called Information for Doctors.

There may be some terms that you are not familiar with. Here is a list of some of them:

Allegation – the charge that the fitness to practise of the doctor is impaired.

Adjournment – a break in the hearing before the panel has completed its deliberations. The hearing will adjourn for lunch or comfort breaks and at the end of each day, if the case lasts for more than a day. An adjournment may be agreed in order that additional evidence can be obtained, or in the case of illness, or if the hearing has overrun.

Condition – a sanction imposed by a panel that restricts a doctor’s right to practise for a period of time.

Determination – decision of the panel in the case. 

Evidence – what a witness says at the hearing, and documentary evidence put before the panel.

Erasure – sanction imposed by the panel to remove the name of the doctor from the medical register. This means the doctor cannot continue to practise medicine.

Expert witness – a witness able to give opinions on any matter falling within their area of expertise on matters considered by the panel.

Finding of fact – The panel, once it has heard all the evidence, will decide whether the alleged facts have been proved. This is known as a ‘finding of fact’ determination.

Finding of impairment – when the panel has made findings of fact, it will then consider whether the doctor’s fitness to practise is impaired.

Fitness to practise – a doctor’s ability to practise without restriction on their GMC registration.

Hearing – a meeting of the Fitness To Practise Panel appointed to hear a case.

Mitigation – the doctor’s reasons for his or her actions, and testimonial evidence.

Medical register – the list of medical practitioners (doctors) eligible to work in the UK.

Restriction – a measure that prevents the doctor from carrying out certain functions or activities, for example, the doctor could be prevented from working privately.

Sanction – a decision by the panel that either restricts or removes a doctor’s right to practise.

Suspension – a sanction imposed by a panel which removes the doctor’s right to practise for a specified period of time.

Undertaking - a commitment given by the doctor to the panel to restrict their practice.

Vulnerable witness – In GMC proceedings, the following may, if the quality of their evidence is likely to be adversely affected as a result, be treated as vulnerable witnesses:

a) any witness under the age of 17 at the time of the hearing;

b) any witness with a mental disorder within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983;

c) any witness who is significantly impaired in relation to intelligence and social functioning;

d) any witness with physical disabilities who requires assistance to give evidence;

e) any witness, where the allegation against the practitioner is of a sexual nature and the witness was the alleged victim; and

f) any witness who complains of intimidation.

Subject to the advice of the Legal Assessor, and on hearing representations from the parties, the panel may adopt such measures as it considers desirable to enable it to receive evidence from a vulnerable witness. This may include use of video links, screens, interpreters and pre-recorded evidence. 

Warning – a warning may be issued to a doctor if the panel decides there has been a significant departure from the principles set out in the GMC's guidance for doctors - Good Medical Practice - but a restriction on the doctor's registration is not necessary.