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11/06/2012
GMC Establish New Doctor Tribunal Service
Doctors involved in fitness to practise hearings will now be referred to a new Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), established as part of government-led reforms.
The MPTS will take over hearings from the General Medical Council, but will operate separately and impartially, being led by a judicial figure that is accountable to Parliament.
MPTS panels will have the power to remove or suspend a doctor working in the UK.
The new tribunal system has been launched to strengthen public and professional confidence in doctors' hearings.
It was set up following consultation with the government in 2010, which recommended greater separation between the GMC's investigative function and the adjudication of cases.
Niall Dickson, chief executive of the General Medical Council, said the launch of the MPTS delivers a clear message.
"Although panels already make their decisions independently, it is important that their autonomy is clear and that the oversight of their work is quite separate from our investigatory activity.
"We hope that the MPTS will strengthen professional and public confidence that our hearings are impartial, fair and transparent."
David Pearl, the chair of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, said: "One of my earliest priorities is to make improvements to the way that panellists are trained and performance managed, which will bolster the quality of decision making."
(H)
The MPTS will take over hearings from the General Medical Council, but will operate separately and impartially, being led by a judicial figure that is accountable to Parliament.
MPTS panels will have the power to remove or suspend a doctor working in the UK.
The new tribunal system has been launched to strengthen public and professional confidence in doctors' hearings.
It was set up following consultation with the government in 2010, which recommended greater separation between the GMC's investigative function and the adjudication of cases.
Niall Dickson, chief executive of the General Medical Council, said the launch of the MPTS delivers a clear message.
"Although panels already make their decisions independently, it is important that their autonomy is clear and that the oversight of their work is quite separate from our investigatory activity.
"We hope that the MPTS will strengthen professional and public confidence that our hearings are impartial, fair and transparent."
David Pearl, the chair of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, said: "One of my earliest priorities is to make improvements to the way that panellists are trained and performance managed, which will bolster the quality of decision making."
(H)
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