GMC consults on changes to Fitness to Practise Rules

The GMC has launched a two-month consultation into a package of proposed changes to its Fitness to Practise Rules.

The GMC launched a two-month consultation into a package of proposed changes to its Fitness to Practise Rules today.  The proposed changes to the Fitness to Practise Rules form part of the GMC’s ongoing and regular review of its procedures. It is one of several planned consultations on proposed changes in fitness to practise policy for 2009.

The Rules, and accompanying guidance, provide the legal framework for the GMC’s Fitness to Practise procedures. They are used by individuals such as panellists and lawyers.

Proposed changes to the Rules include:

• Provision for the Registrar to filter out vexatious complaints about a doctor at the point of initial consideration of a complaint. The total number of such complaints received by the GMC forms a very small proportion of the total. 
• Extension of the circumstances under which a decision to conclude a complaint may be reviewed; a decision would not be reviewed more than two years after it was made other than in exceptional circumstances. 

Paul Philip, Director of Standards and Fitness to Practise at the GMC, said:

“This open consultation forms part of our regular work in which we review and improve our procedures to ensure that they are fair, objective, transparent and free from unlawful discrimination, while maintaining their effectiveness and efficiency. We would like to encourage organisations such as defence bodies, patient organisations and Royal Colleges to give us their views on this package of proposed changes.”

The consultation runs until 22 May 2009 and can be accessed here:  https://gmc.e-consultation.net/econsult/default.aspx

The GMC will publish the revised Rules later in the year.