MDDUS has commented on the Department of Health and Social Care response to its long-running consultation on Promoting professionalism, reforming regulation. New legislation is promised that will allow healthcare regulators such as the GMC to resolve fitness-to-practise (FTP) cases more quickly - among other changes.
MDDUS Director of Advisory and Legal Services Emma Parfitt said: "MDDUS welcomes this announcement by UK Government and a clear direction of travel to address these important issues. The focus is now on improved regulatory governance removing GMC rights of appeal rather than redesigning the governance architecture. We very much support UK Government’s acknowledgement of the need to be more responsive to the constantly changing needs of healthcare, being supportive of a flexible workforce whilst continuing to protect the public.
"The prioritisation of changes for a modern fitness to practise process is also welcome, including the need to see a better process for the professionals involved through quicker decisions and early resolution for all parties. We support members through these difficult issues and we know that this is what will make a difference for everyone involved.
"However, it has taken a considerable time to get to this point, with the promise of further consultation on some challenging secondary legislation. MDDUS and the professions now await a clear timetable with early action that will deliver these important changes."
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