GDC acts on fitness to practise delays

25 August 2010

A 40 per cent rise in the GDC's fitness to practise (FtP) case load has prompted the regulator to consult on a rule change that will allow the employment of 50 more panel members.

The rise is being blamed for a backlog and delays in getting cases heard and the GDC is focusing resources in this area as a priority to speed up the process.

FtP panel members sit on public hearings, which are the final stages of investigations into dental professionals. Panel members will be asked to make difficult decisions about whether the GDC should step in to set out how and if a dental professional should carry on working.

Before the Council can increase FtP panel member numbers it must consult as this requires a change to the Council’s Constitution of Committees Rules 2009.

The consultation is available on the GDC’s website at http://www.gdc-uk.org/ and will run until 22 October 2010.