GMC Defence Barristers Blog
Discussion around the legal issues faced by doctorsVoluntary erasure not enough to protect the public – PSA v GMC
In the case of PSA v GMC & Dr Dighton, the High Court, among other things, voluntary erasure not enough to protect the public.
The future looks bright – Fitness to Practise beyond Covid
Whilst there are many things about Covid that is devastating, a positive is that it forced healthcare regulators to reform, adapt and do so quickly.
What is an interim order?
A NMC statement on a nurse charged with murder confirmed the issue will be given considered by a interim order hearing. What is an interim order?
Decision making and consent – Updated GMC Guidance
From 9 November 2020, updated decision making and consent guidance by the General Medical Council (GMC) comes into force for all doctors.
BAME & other factors disproportionately affecting fitness to practise
Overwhelming evidence supports the fact that BAME healthcare professionals are disproportionately impacted by fitness to practise referrals and proceedings. Last week I reported on a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) report highlighting that BAME nurses as...
GMC v Dr Raied Haris: Sexually “motivated” conduct & Fitness to Practise
GMC v Dr Raied Haris
The High Court said the GMC should rethink the way it accuses doctors of sexual motivation during intimate examinations.
Physician Associates & Anaesthesia Associates – Transition arrangements for fitness to practise
The GMC’s transitionary arrangements confirmed the fitness to practise arrangements for Physician Associates & Anaesthesia Associates joining the register.
Successful appeal in student refused entry to medical school
Kings View Chambers have successfully appealed against the refusal of DH’s entry to medical school.
Annual healthcare regulators whistleblowing report 2020
The UK’s healthcare regulators have published their annual whistleblowing report the 12 months from April 2019 to March 2020.
New GMC Fitness to Practise in Covid Guidance
New GMC advice for “decision makers” in determining how to assess allegations of impaired fitness to practise during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Future of Healthcare Regulation according to Matt Hancock
What impact did the Covid19 pandemic have on the future of health and social care regulation in the UK?
GMC Defence Barristers success in GMC suspension case
GMC Defence Barristers successfully assisted and represented another doctor this month with a review of a substantive suspension.
Fitness to practise investigations – certain demographics and professions are over-represented
Research commissioned by the PSA found certain “demographics and professions are over-represented in complaints”.
General Medical Council sets out plans to fitness to practise
The General Medical Council (GMC) has confirmed fitness to practise hearings will restart in July.
High Court uphold MPTS Suspension Order
High Court uphold MPTS Suspension Order for doctor in sexual misconduct case – GMC v Awan [2020] EWHC 1553 (Admin).
Social Media and Fitness to Practise
The misuse of social media by health and care professionals can lead to fitness to practise investigations and sanctions.
“Impairment is in the present tense” – High Court
The High Court reaffirmed important legal fitness to practise principles in the case of PSA v HCPC recently.
Trust’s responsibility to report GMC referrals
Coroner’s verdict directs GMC to ensure trusts and agencies inform doctors when they are referred to the GMC and check what support they need.




