Opening an initial assessment

If we decide to carry out an initial assessment of a concern raised about you or your practice, this doesn't mean we've reached any kind of decision. Many of our initial assessments will end with no action and only the most serious concerns end in suspension or removal from  our registers.

What you need to do

Before we begin our initial assessment, we'll usually tell you about the concern we have received.

At this point, you should:

• give us any comments you have on the concern raised (unless you have referred yourself). Getting key information early can help us close our initial assessments more quickly
• send us your employment details when we ask for them – to make sure we disclose to the right organisations
• contact your medical defence organisation for legal advice straight away. They know our processes and will be able to help you. If you're not a member of a defence organisation, you should get advice from any professional organisations of which you are a member
• think about getting emotional support or advice. Even if your initial assessment ends in no action, we know it can be a stressful time.

Good medical practice obliges you to engage with us. But it's also in your interests to do so – we may be able to conclude our assessment sooner if you do engage with us.

What we will do

At the beginning of the process, we’ll:

• write to your employers to see if they have any information that might help us with our  assessment
• consider whether the concerns about you mean your practice should be restricted or suspended immediately. In these cases, we'll refer you to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) for an interim measures tribunal hearing
• if you’ve been convicted of a listed offence, we will take immediate steps to remove your registration. However, we will only do this for the most serious convictions.