As part of its work to improve fitness to practise processes wherever possible in the absence of regulatory reform, the General Dental Council (GDC) launched on November 10, 2022, a 12-week public consultation on proposed updates to its Interim Orders Committee Guidance and associated information.
The Interim Orders Committee is responsible for considering immediate and serious risks to patient safety and public confidence while investigations are ongoing. It does this through an assessment of risk and deciding whether there is a need to suspend or impose conditions on a dental professional’s ability to practise dentistry in the UK, ahead of a substantive hearing.
John Cullinane, GDC executive director, fitness to practise said, “In the absence of the wholesale reform of our legislation which is so sorely needed, we are getting on with improvements to our processes wherever possible. These proposed updates aim to ensure consistency in the assessment of - and approach to - risk, provide comprehensive guidance to panel members, and ensure decisions are proportionate and appropriate to the risks posed. This work has been informed by a broad range of evidence but capturing the opinions of our stakeholders in relation to the proposals is a vital step in ensuring we get this right. As such, I encourage all with an interest to share their views by responding to this consultation.”
The GDC has drawn on research, internal audit processes and case law when revising the guidance.
The consultation runs for 12 weeks, and closes on February 2, 2023.