Today
we published several reports which provide statistics and examples of fitness
to practise case handling undertaken during 2019.
The
statistical report provides a quantitative picture of fitness to practise in
2019. In addition, we have published six short insight reports covering
decisions at the initial assessment stage for quarters three and four of
2019, including spotlight reports on concerns relating to consent and
record keeping.
The
reports show that of all the concerns received in 2019, only 36%
made it to a case examiner – the first stage at which a sanction may
be imposed on a dental professional. The reports also reveal a
further year-on-year increase in concerns raised by dental professionals,
from 10% to 13% of the total, including ‘blue on blue’ cases – separate to
those which are categorised as ‘whistleblowing’ by professionals.
Executive
Director of Fitness to Practise Transition at the GDC, John Cullinane, said:
“What
is clear from these reports is that the large majority of concerns received by
the GDC are assessed and completed without sanction, but they also highlight
that early engagement in the process will typically end in a smoother
resolution to any concern that’s raised, which ultimately must be in everyone’s
interests. The increase in referrals by registrants also highlights an
important issue; while we of course need to avoid any discouragement of
whistleblowing or the raising of serious issues affecting patient safety or
public confidence, matters such as employment disputes or grievances – which we
are seeing on an increasing basis – are not for the GDC to investigate or
resolve.
“There’s
some really useful insights to be gained here for dental professionals,
particularly from the case examples in the short insight reports, so I’d
encourage everyone to take a look.”
The
full reports are available to read on our fitness to practise learning page.
