The Medical Defence Union (MDU), the parent company of the DDU, published a list of government priorities to coincide with the Labour party’s conference in September 2024.
The organisation has called for the government to reform healthcare professional regulation, tackle the huge cost of clinical negligence claims and do more to protect dental professional’s health and wellbeing. A DDU survey found these were some of the areas dental professionals wanted the government to prioritise.
John Makin, head of the DDU, said, “The emotional strain put on dental professionals undergoing a GDC investigation is enormous and cases take too long to process.
“The most recent Professional Standards Authority (PSA) report shows that it takes an average of 140 weeks or over two and a half years for the GDC to progress fitness to practice referrals from receipt to final hearing, which is way too long.”
Learning from experience
A DDU member explained the impact of a fitness to practise investigation. They said, “In 2023, I had my first ever (and hopefully last) fitness to practice letter from the GDC. This was a big shock as I always strive to do my utmost for my patients and put their wellbeing first and foremost.
“It was a stressful six month wait until I heard that my case was to be dropped and would not proceed. Although dentistry continues to be a hugely fulfilling and enjoyable career, it can also be a stressful, difficult and thankless profession at times. I am so grateful for the DDU’s continuing professional support.”
John commented, “Although in this case, the GDC investigation concluded in six months, it still caused significant stress for our member and many have to wait far longer for their case to conclude. It’s not surprising then that members tell us that undergoing a GDC investigation is one of the most difficult experiences of their professional lives. The stress of being under scrutiny during a lengthy and potentially career-ending fitness to practice process can have a devastating impact.
“Fitness to practice procedures, are too rigid, take too long and are governed by outdated legislation. The government must prioritise reform of the healthcare professional regulators. Dental professionals have waited a long time for this, which is unfair.”
Regulation reform is just one item on the DDU’s list of priorities for the government. The full list was published on September 23, 2024, in a paper titled ‘An agenda for change’ and included:
- Reform of healthcare professional regulation: Bring forward a Section 60 order to enable dental professionals to get the reformed, fairer and timelier model of regulation they have long promised.
- Action on clinical negligence costs: Repeal Section 2(4) of the Law Reform (Personal Injuries) Act 1948, which will allow courts to factor in the existence of the NHS when determining compensation. Tackle disproportionate legal costs by ensuring fixed recoverable costs in lower-value clinical negligence claims are promptly enacted.
- Supporting the health and wellbeing of the workforce: Commit to continued funding for programmes like NHS Practitioner Health, which can ensure support for clinicians when they feel at risk of or experience burnout.