GDC

Report published on fitness to practise ‘Rule 4’ consultation ahead of pilot launch

The General Dental Council (GDC) has published its report on last year’s consultation relating to the ‘Rule 4’ process in fitness to practise.

The Rule 4 process provides dental professionals with an opportunity to submit their comments about concerns that have been raised. These observations are considered by case examiners when deciding whether concerns can be concluded by them or whether they should be referred to a fitness to practise committee for hearing.

Further to feedback received in the ‘End-to-End Review’ of fitness to practise, the consultation sought views on whether an extension to the current 28-day deadline for clinical cases was required.

Building on the views received in the consultation, a nine-month pilot will begin from the end of January and will include the following:

  • A 14-day extension, by application, to the Rule 4-time limit for cases involving clinical concerns, where the individual has no other fitness to practise matters being actively considered.
  • Availability of clinical assessments earlier than the ‘Rule 4’ papers bundle being sent, to facilitate efficient preparation of dental professional’s comments.

GDC Executive Director, Fitness to Practise Transition, Tom Scott, said: “We understand, and are sympathetic to, the time pressures faced by dental professionals and their representatives in the fitness to practise process. Extending the time frame in certain cases to ensure we receive the best possible evidence aligns with our view that we need to be fully informed of all relevant facts as early as possible.

“I’d like to thank all of those who responded to the consultation for their views. The overall support for the proposals is welcome and we now look forward to seeing how they will work in practice.”

In addition to the overall support, the consultation also saw calls for the extension to apply to all cases and not just those of a clinical nature. However, in addition to enabling a measurable and well-defined pilot, the regulator says that it also needs to have consideration for patient safety and the timely disposal of cases. Therefore, at least for the pilot, the extension will remain focused on clinical concerns. The GDC also wished to highlight that the pilot is complementary to the existing arrangements for extensions.

Further details about the pilot, including the criteria for inclusion, can be found on the GDC’s website

Deadline looming for DCPs annual CPD statement

With just one week to go to the deadline for dental care professionals (DCPs) to make their annual or end-of-cycle CPD statement, the General Dental Council today revealed there are still more than 5,000 yet to make their submission.

Since the introduction of Enhanced CPD in 2018, all registered dental professionals must make an annual statement, which entails confirming how many hours of CPD have been completed in the previous 12 months (even where that figure is ‘zero’) and making a declaration that the CPD completed is relevant to their field of practice, a CPD record including a personal development plan has been kept, and the statement is full and accurate.

With the deadline of 28 August 2019 fast approaching for DCPs, the regulator is calling for all those yet to make annual or end-of-cycle statement to do so as soon as possible.

GDC Executive Director, Registration and Corporate Resources, Gurvinder Soomal, said: “This is the first time that the annual statement has been a requirement for DCPs and with so many yet to make their submission, we’re calling on professionals and employers alike to ensure that no one loses their license to practise through non-compliance. If anyone is avoiding making the statement due to concerns over insufficient CPD hours, this is a reminder that a ‘zero hours’ statement can be made, as long as the minimum number of required hours are made-up over the next 12 months.”

The regulator is keen to highlight that neglecting to make an annual statement could lead to dental care professionals falling off the register and, therefore, no longer being able to practise in the UK. The quickest and easiest way to make the annual statement is through eGDC, and it takes just five minutes to set up an account.

The General Dental Council provides further guidance and information about Enhanced CPD on its website.