Changes to the GMC's Fitness to Practise Panel

A number of amendments to the GMC’s Fitness to Practise Rules take effect on 7 August. The changes follow a consultation earlier this year.

The changes result from our experience of the rules since their introduction in 2004 and from legal advice, and are intended to enhance the effective operation of our procedures.

The amendments include:

• the introduction of a power to conclude vexatious complaints at the initial assessment point of our procedures
• an express power to carry out preliminary investigations before a decision is taken whether to investigate under the five year rule 
• an amendment of our powers to review investigation stage decisions
• amended provisions for cancelling hearings

There are also a number of minor amendments which will help ensure that our procedures operate in a consistent way.

A consolidated version of our Fitness to Practise Rules and updated supporting guidance will be published on our website shortly.

Link to amendment order

You can view the amendment order by accessing the following link: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2009/pdf/uksi_20091913_en.pdf

Further information

For further information about the rule changes, please contact Michael Cotton.