Conditions suspension or removal from the register
- Conditions suspension or removal from the register
- Referral for an associates tribunal
- Request an internal appeal
We'll refer a concern to our senior decision makers if there is a reasonable likelihood that regulatory action is needed to protect the public.
In deciding whether to refer a physician associate (PA) or anaesthesia associate (AA), we must always have in mind our statutory duty to protect the public which involves:
- protecting, promoting and maintaining the health, and safety and wellbeing of the public
- promoting and maintaining public confidence in the profession
- promoting and maintaining proper professional standards and conduct for members of the professions.
The senior decision makers must first decide whether or not the PA or AA’s fitness to practise is impaired, and then whether regulatory action is needed.
If the PA or AA’s fitness to practise is not found to be impaired, they can:
- take no action
- impose a warning on the PA or AA’s registration.
If the PA or AA’s fitness to practise is found to be impaired, our decision makers can propose that we:
- put conditions on the PA or AA’s registration, which restricts what they are allowed to do
- stop a PA or AA from working for a set period of time (suspension)
- remove the PA or AA from our register to stop them practising (removal).
If the PA or AA accepts the proposal from our senior decision makers, the measure will take effect. Where they do not accept the proposal, they will instead be referred to an associate’s tribunal. If they do not respond, our senior decision makers can either decide to make the proposed measure effective, or refer the case to an associate’s tribunal.
When making this decision, our senior decision makers follow the principles set out in our guidance on when regulatory action is needed and what restrictive action is required.
Other types of removals
In certain instances, removal may be appropriate without a decision maker finding a PA or AAs fitness to practise to be impaired. Automatic removal and removal due to failure to comply are types of removal that could be appropriate during our assessment of a concern.
Automatic removal
Where a PA or AA is convicted of a specified serious criminal offence, we are required to remove the PA or AAs entry from our register.
Failure to comply
Where a PA or AA has not complied with a direction to undertake an assessment or failed to provide information in accordance with a requirement of or made under the Order we are able to remove the PA or AA’s entry from our register.
