General Medical Council

Question 2

Fitness to Practice procedures stages

Answer 2

1. Investigation

2. Adjudication(a hearing of those cases that have been referred to a Fitness to Practice Panel)

Question 3

Outcomes of Investigation stage of Fitness to Practice procedure

Answer 3

at the end of the investigative stage 2 GMC staff (medical & non-medical) can conclude

1. NFA
2. issue a warning
3. refer the case to a Panel
4. agree undertakings

Question 4

Interim Orders Panel order

Answer 4

1. suspend a doctors registration for max 18 months
2. impose conditions on doctors registration for max 18 months
3. must be reviewed every 6 months
4. if IOP wishes for order to be extended they must apply to the High Court for permission to do so

Question 5

Fitness to Practice Panel

Answer 5

1. chairman (medical or non-medical)
2. medical panelist
3. non-medical panelist
4. panelist
5. panelist
6. legal advisor
7. specialist advisor to advise the panel wrt the doctors health or performance

Question 6

Legal advisor on Fitness to Practice panel…

Answer 6

advises on points of Law

advises on points of mixed law & fact, including the procedure and powers of the panel

Question 7

Fitness to Practice hearing involves attendance of…

Answer 7

Panel (3 to 5 panelists)
GMC barrister
Doctor and his/her legal representative
witnessess

Question 8

Legal framework for Fitness to Practice procedures

Answer 8

Medical Act 1983Fitness to Practice Rules 2004

Question 9

A warning is an appropriate outcome of a Fitness to Practice Investigation

Answer 9

where the concerns indicate a significant departure from the standards set out in the GMC’s guidance Good Medical Practice or if there is a significant concern following assessment

Question 10

if 2 GMC members failt to agree after investigation in a Fitness to Practice case it will be considered by

Answer 10

the Investigation Committee; a statutory committee of the GMC

Question 11

Interim Orders Panel

Answer 11

Panel which can suspend or restrict a doctors practice whilst they have a case being investigated . these will involve cases where the doctor faces allegations of such a nature that it may be necessary for the protection of members of the public, or in the publics interest or in the interest of the doctor for the doctors registration to be restricted whilst the allegations are resolved.

Question 12

if Fitness to Practise panel concludes the doctors fitness to Practice is impaired its sanctions can be…

Answer 12

1. take no action
2. to accept undertakings offered by the doctor provided that the panel is satisfied that such undertakingfs protect patients and the wider public interest
3. to place conditions on the doctors registration
4. to suspend the doctors registration
5. to erase the doctors name from the Medical register (so they can no longer practice)

(Doctors can apply to have their name re-instated after minimum of 5 years)