DDU calls on UK Government to prioritise regulatory reform
Top of the list is reform of the General Dental Council's fitness to practise processes.
The DDU is raising the concerns of the dental profession with the UK Government and top of the list is reform of the General Dental Council’s (GDC) fitness to practise processes. The MDU, the parent company of the DDU, has published a list of the priorities to coincide with the Labour Party conference.
The defence organisation is calling for the Government to reform healthcare professional regulation, tackle the huge cost of clinical negligence claims and do more to protect dental professional’s health and wellbeing. An earlier survey by the DDU found these were among the areas dental professionals want the government to prioritise.
John Makin, Head of the DDU, said: “The emotional strain put on dental professionals undergoing a GDC investigation is enormous and cases take too long to process. The most recent Professional Standards Authority (PSA) report shows that it takes an average of 140 weeks or over two and a half years for the GDC to progress fitness to practice referrals from receipt to final hearing, which is way too long.”
One DDU member, explained the impact of a fitness to practise investigation, saying: “Last year, I had my first – and hopefully last – fitness to practice letter from the GDC. This was a big shock as I always strive to do my utmost for my patients and put their wellbeing first and foremost.
“It was a stressful six month wait until I heard that my case was to be dropped and would not proceed. Although dentistry continues to be a hugely fulfilling and enjoyable career, it can also be a stressful, difficult and thankless profession at times. I am so grateful for the DDU’s continuing professional support.”
John Makin commented: “Although in this case the GDC investigation concluded in six months, it still caused significant stress for our member and many have to wait far longer for their case to conclude. It’s not surprising then that members tell us that undergoing a GDC investigation is one of the most difficult experiences of their professional lives.
“The stress of being under scrutiny during a lengthy and potentially career-ending fitness to practice process can have a devastating impact. Fitness to practice procedures, are too rigid, take too long and are governed by outdated legislation. The Government must prioritise reform of the healthcare professional regulators. Dental professionals have waited a long time for this, which is unfair.”
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