A number of changes to the GMC’s Fitness to Practise Rules took effect on 7 August. The changes follow a consultation that took place earlier this year and hope to make the Rules more workable following their introduction in 2004.
The changes include:
- the introduction of a power for the Registrar to conclude vexatious complaints at the initial assessment point of the GMC procedures,
- an express power to carry out preliminary investigations before a decision is taken whether to investigate under the five year rule,
- an amendment of the existing powers to review decisions taken at the investigation stage of any proceedings, and
- amended provisions for cancelling hearings.
There are other minor amendments which the GMC state will help ensure that their procedures operate in a consistent way. A consolidated version of the can be found on the GMC website.