HCLP GDC

Question 1

how many GDC standards are there?

Answer 1

9

Question 1

what are potential issues with the GDC?

Answer 1

fear
relationships with other bodies
Annual retention fee ARF
skill mix (people on the panel may not understand)
cumbersome and lengthy process

Question 2

what are the 9 GDC standards?

Answer 2

1 - put patients interests first
2 - communicate effectively with patients
3 - obtain valid consent
4 - maintain and protect patients’ information
5 - have a clear and effective complaints procedure
6 - work with colleagues in a way that is in patients’ best interests
7 - maintain, develop and work within your professional knowledge and skills
8 - raise concerns if patients are at risk
9 - make sure your personal behaviour maintains patients’ confidence in you and the dental profession

Question 3

what is the role of GDC case examiners?

Answer 3

work to resolve public protection issues that are reported to them.
they can issue a letter of advice, warning, close the case

Question 4

what is the role of the GDC interim orders committee?

Answer 4

runs parallel to other processes i.e., case examiners
- they can erase you
- suspension, which may be imposed for up to 18 months if they think it is in the publics best interests
- can put conditions on you

Question 5

what are the 3 GDC practice committees?

Answer 5

professional conduct committee
professional performance committee
health committee

Question 6

what are the 2 questions that the professional conduct committee use as the test to whether there is impaired fitness to practice?

Answer 6

1. do the proven facts amount to misconduct?
2. is the registrants fitness to practice currently impaired?

Question 7

what are the possible findings and sanctions (outcome)?

Answer 7

• no misconduct found
• no case to answer
• no impairment (the person has remediated)
• reprimand (stays on record)
• conditions on registration for up to 3 years
• suspension from register for up to 12 months
• erasure (cannot apply for restoration for 5 years)

Question 8

what is the “real prospect test”?

Answer 8

insight and remediation

is there a real prospect of facts alleged being proved on the balance of probabilities
and
any facts found proved being judged to amount to current impairment

Question 9

what is insight?

Answer 9

the capacity to gain an accurate and deep understanding of something

Question 10

what is remediation?

Answer 10

the act or process of remedying something that is undesirable or deficient

Question 11

what are examples of insight?

Answer 11

admission of deficiencies
reflective learning

Question 12

what are examples of remediation?

Answer 12

proof of CPD
audit
awareness of guidelines
peer review and mentor
PDP/ reflective log improvement in records

Question 13

what are examples of non-clinical issues considered by GDC?

Answer 13

criminal charges
illegal practice
dishonesty
operating out with scope
professional disputes
behaviour on social media

Question 14

what standard does social media misconduct fall under?

Answer 14

standard 9

Question 15

what must you do if a patient contacts you through private profile on social media?

Answer 15

explain that it is not appropriate to mix social and professional relationships and where appropriate, direct them to your professional profile

Question 16

Explain the complaints process to the GDC?

Answer 16

1. someone complains about you
2. a letter is sent to you from the GDC caseworker advising fitness to practice
3. initial triage i.e., could go back to being a normal pt-dentist complaint or …
4. it will be considered by case examiners
5. await the result from GDC

Question 17

at what point during the complaints procedure will you contact your indemnity?

Answer 17

when you receive the letter from the GDC

Question 18

why are you not fully covered with NHS trust indemnity?

Answer 18

it only covers claims for compensation

Question 19

how many case examiners are there? and who are they?

Answer 19

2
1 lay person
1 registrant

the registrant could be a dentist, nurse, hygienest etc depending on the person

Question 20

what action can case examiners take?

Answer 20

• no action
• send a letter of advice
• ask you to undertake i.e., take part in training courses
• issue a published warning (present on GDC website) or an unpublished (will stay on your record)
• send you forward to the Practice committee

if the 2 case examiners dont agree with each other, you will be referred to full investigating committee

Question 21

what is the role of the professional misconduct committee?

Answer 21

2 stage test to assess whether there is impaired fitness to practice

Question 22

can you appeal a GDC sanction?

Answer 22

yes, and you have 28 days to do so