BDA challenges GDC’s financial case
The General Dental Council’s (GDC) controversial consultation on the proposed 64 per cent increase to the Annual Retention Fee (ARF) closed yesterday (4 September), with the BDA redoubling its criticism of the much-maligned regulator.
The British Dental Association (BDA) submitted its own official response, including an independent financial analysis of the consultation document and other supporting information
In its submission the BDA described a “litany of failings in the way the GDC has gone about its consultation” and also condemned what it described as the assumptions it has used as the basis for attempting to justify the proposed rise.
The association advised the GDC that if it does not recognise its miscalculation and fails to respond properly to it, it will be forced into using the submission as the basis for a challenge by way of judicial review.
Mick Armstrong, chairman of the British Dental Association Principal Executive Committee, said: “The GDC now face a simple choice: step back from this flawed fee rise, or face a legal challenge. We are confident in our arguments, and ready to take any and all action necessary to stop it.
“We have sought legal advice and as a consequence of that advice, threatened judicial review proceedings. Having heard our views, the GDC firmly rejected them and stood by its original proposals.
“We have commissioned independent experts to critically analyse the GDC’s consultation and those expert findings are utterly damning. We have been advised by our lawyers that the content is such that we would have a strong case to challenge the legitimacy and integrity of this consultation.
“If the GDC continues in its obstinate and obdurate rejection of our challenges, we are committed to seeing this through.
“What is really shocking is the fact that if it continues to resist this challenge, the GDC is using registrants’ money in its illogical and dogmatic battling – that damns the GDC still further.
“But it does not have to be too late. At what is now one minute to midnight we urge the GDC to see sense.”
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