DDU hopes new Case Examiners will have positive impact on GDC investigations
The DDU welcomes today’s news that GDC Case Examiners are now officially in post but will be vigilant in monitoring their impact on fitness to practise procedures.
The Case Examiners will decide how a case should proceed following an investigation, which will allow for many concerns to be addressed earlier in the process without dental professionals being subject to a stressful and costly Fitness to Practise Committee hearing.
Head of the DDU John Makin said the DDU had contributed to the training of the 14 Case Examiners to help them better understand the perspective of the registrant in fitness to practise hearings.
“Now the GDC Case Examiners have completed their training and have started work, the DDU will monitor their impact on fitness to practise hearings. We want to make sure they have the desired effect of making the process more efficient, proportionate and fairer for all involved, without compromising safety,” John said.
“GDC fitness to practise investigations can be incredibly stressful for the dental professional involved and, until now, the hearings process has been slow and cumbersome. We hope the new Case Examiners will play a role in improving the system and achieving a better outcome for all involved.”
