MDDUS challenges GDC to turn aspiration into early action

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release: Thursday, 28 January 2016

Dental defence organisation MDDUS welcomes the GDC’s plans to improve the current complaints system and reform fitness to practise procedures for dentists facing investigation.

The GDC has this week announced their three-year strategy entitled Patients Professionals Partners Performance. The document sets out a number of key objectives with the aim of developing an improved model of dental regulation.

“MDDUS welcomes the GDC’s commitment to a faster, more streamlined and transparent service,” says MDDUS chief executive Chris Kenny. “We will work with the GDC to help them deliver a regulatory system that better serves patients and dentists.

“Complaints continue to rise and we agree that wider reform is needed to enable the regulator to improve efficiency, transparency and decision making in their fitness to practise process. The challenge now is to turn aspiration into early action in order for the plan to be credible and effective.”

MDDUS has seen a significant increase in the number of members subject to investigation by the GDC in recent years (up 37 per cent in 2014), the vast majority of which lead to no action.

“The often unjustified threat of regulatory action can destroy careers and reputations. We support steps that will make the process less stressful for dentists and reduce the number resulting in a final hearing,” says Kenny. “We continue to engage robustly with the GDC on behalf of our members.”

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For further information contact Richard Hendry on 0845 270 2034 or 07976 272266, or email rihendry@mddus.com.

Note to editors

MDDUS (The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland) is a medical and dental defence organisation providing access to professional indemnity and expert medico- and dento-legal advice for doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals throughout the UK.

For further information on MDDUS go to www.mddus.com