GDC Concerns - Erasure Risk Remains Very High in UK
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- Published: Monday, 10 July 2023 16:55
- Written by Peter Ingle
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In good news for Patriotic readers of GDPUK we can confirm that the UK still leads the world. In not so good news, this is in numbers of fitness to practice cases instigated by dental regulators.
For example, Canada with a population about 60% that of the UK has around 1.5 cases per thousand practitioners a year. Over the period from January 2010 to December 2020 there were about 700 cases. Considering the UK population that would equate to the GDC dealing with around 12 cases a month. For the month of June 2023 the GDC’s hearings website shows 57 cases.
As GDPUK contributor Vimal Hathiramani observed, the Irish dental regulator has dealt with 9 cases over a similar period, although they only publish those where allegations were found proven. Allowing for a UK sized population then, the Irish Dental Council would have handled about 140 cases a decade with allegations found proven. In the month of May 2023 the GDC’s hearings website shows 50 cases.
A significant number of the GDC cases relate to the continuation of suspensions, and interim orders. It is important to remember that in interim orders cases, it is the theoretical risk rather than the likelihood of a specific event having taken place, that forms the basis for decisions, which often involve suspension.
Given the range of sanctions available, registrants might expect erasure to be reserved for the most serious offences. A recent batch of Fitness to Practice cases were related to CPD compliance. One particular example gives a flavour of the GDC approach. This was one of 15 such appeals against erasure, 14 of which were dismissed. One was remitted back to the registrar, but no further details have been published. One of the appeals that was dismissed involved a Dental Hygienist. The registrar had ruled that their CPD was non-compliant because they failed to demonstrate completion of the minimum requirement of 10 hours of verifiable CPD during the period 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2022.
Registered for over 10 years, the appellant had provided evidence of copious CPD far exceeding the 5 year requirements for the period immediately preceding the one under scrutiny. They also had completed CPD in the period after. They had, during the time in question experienced severe personal issues that in most environments would elicit sympathy and support. There was no question about their competency in their work or question of integrity. They had made up the shortfall and submitted numerous letters of good standing.
The former registrant had checked their eGDC account and it showed zero hours outstanding. This was not disputed. A screenshot was provided to confirm this. Understandably, as a result, they did not apply for a grace period. After further instruction the GDC submitted that the system was referring to the five year period, not the two years under consideration, something which is not made clear. The appeal was rejected.
That 14 registrants who should have been capable of remediation have been removed from the register confirms the GDCs enthusiasm to push for the most aggressive of sanctions at its disposal. When this happens at a time of severe workforce shortage, it means that the public are punished. The preposterous nature of this approach, where the majority of these erasures are dental nurses who will likely be replaced by unregistered trainees, many of whom never complete the journey to the register, is probably lost on the GDC. This of course is the same GDC that for some years refused to stop the loophole where overseas dentists failing the ORE practical could then register as Dental Therapists, with no further assessment.
The BMA have made clear that they have no confidence in the GMC. The BDA have rightly drawn attention to the ‘leaky bucket’ that is responsible for shrinking UK dental teams, and also campaigned for a better deal for the public. Going all out for major reform of the GDC would help on both counts.
Vol. 18 No. 3, 2023 :: Longwoods.com
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