Who Will Handle Performance Concerns?
When a complaint is made or there are concerns raised about the performance of a dentist, you may be mistaken for thinking that the General Dental Council (GDC) will handle such concerns.
Both the GDC and the NHS currently have the power to take action against dentists where there are concerns in relation to performance. At present the GDC deal with all complaints through their “fitness to practice process”. However, in the future some of the complaints could be dealt with locally.
The pilot scheme will last 12 months and has been launched with the aim of exploring the potential to have more concerns about dentists handled by the NHS England Local Area Team.
The results of the pilot will be used to develop an approach which is to be used on a national basis. It is hoped that the potential benefits will include:
- A more proportionate and efficient response to dealing with performance management (NHS England dealing with less serious concerns); &
- A focus of GDC resources to matters where patients are at risk and the dentists fitness may be impaired (GDC dealing with more serious concerns).
The above process will invariably encourage NHS England and the GDC to work closely together at an early stage.
For more information on dental matters, contact leading Healthcare lawyer Amanda Maskery on 0191 226 7838 or amanda.maskery@sintons.co.uk
