Document to assist council in fitness-to-practice inquiry decisions New guidance to assist the Medical Council in making decisions on fitness-to-practice inquiries have been issued. The revised document focusses on sanctions, looking at the purpose and approach taken to such penalties, and factors to be considered when deciding on sanctions. The guidance also covers cases which may result in a more serious sanction being imposed.
“We have focused on clarifying the existing guidance and increasing transparency around the Medical Council’s role in the Fitness to Practice process,” said Mairead Britton-Doyle, head of fitness-to-practice and monitoring at the Medical Council. “This document aims to be more accessible for both the public and doctors, and will help those engaging with the Medical Council to better understand our processes.” Dr Suzanne Crowe, Medical Council president Medical Council president Dr Suzanne Crowe added: “One of the important statutory functions placed on the Medical Council is determining a doctor’s fitness to practice following the investigation of a complaint and fitness-to-practice inquiry.
We’re very much aware of the difficulties that can be involved in going through the fitness-to-practice process for both doctors and complainants. “The publication of this guidance today increases the transparency around the decision-making processes of the Council when it comes to sanctioning a doctor. Indemnifiers are there for doctors to enga.