The GDC 2024 “To Do” List
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- Published: Friday, 26 January 2024 10:43
- Written by Peter Ingle
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Many New Years resolutions do not make it into February. Setting modest goals is one way to help a higher proportion survive, and the GDC have provided some helpful supporting material for registrants. In his blog, “A view from the Chair: the GDC’s priorities for early 2024” Lord Toby Harris provides some highlights from the Councils to do list.
Titled, “How can you get involved in the GDC’s work as 2024 begins?” Lord Harris looks at some of the GDC’s priorities that are in his words “most likely to affect dental professionals and stakeholders.”
He begins by referring to the webinars about changes to the Standards that registrants must adhere to. He uses “if” in relation to proposing changes, but proceeds to consider how a less prescriptive principle-based model might work. There is a promise to share feedback form earlier events, although whether this means the contributions of the GDC’s invited panels, or grass roots registrants and stakeholders, is not clear.
Lord Harris then referred to the publication of figures on the number of dentists on the register following annual renewal. There was an increase of 2.5% in the number of dentists registered, although this does not necessarily translate into an increase in activity. This year as Lord Harris writes, the GDC have asked renewing registrants for data about this, including whether they are working in the NHS or privately, and in clinical or non-clinical roles. The results will be published once the analysis of the figures is complete. It will be revealing to see this data, not least the proportion of the profession willing to provide information voluntarily to a regulator that often appears to be working against both theirs and their patient’s interests.
Lord Harris mentions one of the GDC’s more welcome recent activities, which has been the issuing of revised guidance for indemnity and insurance, coming into effect in February 2024. These changes follow a period of consultation. The Chair then refers to another consultation which will end in mid February, into permanently changing to remote fitness to practice hearings as a default. Ever the politician, Lord Harris writes that; “The proposal is to keep open the option of hearings being in person when there is a good reason to do so” but does not say who will be deciding what constitutes “a good reason.”
March will see the new rules for international registration taking effect. The Chair writes about the financing of the Overseas Registration Exam and ominously reveals that despite the new rules coming into effect very soon, that the work to “develop a comprehensive framework for a modernised process to register dental professionals who qualify overseas,” remains incomplete and “will continue throughout the year.”
2024 looks like another busy year for the GDC Engagement team, as Lord Harris sets out: “We will continue to engage external stakeholders in early 2024, convening a Dental Leadership Network, attending industry events and bringing together education providers to plan implementation of the Safe Practitioner framework.”
Looking into the future, the GDC will start work on reviewing and revising the standards of dental education. There is no mention of the former Chief Executive, Ian Brack, or his brisk departure. However, Lord Harris does end his update “The GDC will also welcome a new Chief Executive during 2024, which promises to be a year of both stability and change for the GDC. I look forward to working with you as we continue to protect the public and maintain public confidence in the dental professions.”
In contrast, registrants may not be looking forward to working with the GDC this year, given the list of items that were not mentioned as being on the Council’s “To Do” list.
There was no mention of the GDC providing its promised but long overdue analysis on causes of death of registrants during Fitness to Practice (FTP) proceedings. Nor was there any commitment to improving the councils 100% failure rate in meeting the Professional Standards Authority’s Standards for Fitness to Practice. In their most recent report of GDC performance the PSA mentioned a GDC review into erasures over “top up” charges, this too was not mentioned by Lord Harris.
Of course, it may be that these and the outcome of the Councils latest ‘clarity seeking’ appeal will be GDC priorities for the later part of 2024.
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