Reform of healthcare professional regulation and more wellbeing protection are being called on to be prioritised by the government.
The Medical Defence Union, the parent company of the Dental Defence Union (DDU), this week published a list of top priorities for the government under the title ‘An agenda for change’.
These include:
- Reform of healthcare professional regulation: bring forward a Section 60 Order to enable dental professionals to get the reformed, fairer, more timely and more proportionate model of regulation they have long promised
- Action on clinical negligence costs: repeal Section 2(4) of the Law Reform (Personal Injuries) Act 1948, which will allow courts to factor in the existence of the NHS when determining compensation. Tackle disproportionate legal costs by ensuring fixed recoverable costs in lower value clinical negligence claims is promptly enacted
- Supporting the health and wellbeing of the workforce: commit to continued funding for programmes like NHS Practitioner Health which can ensure support for clinicians when they feel at risk of, or experience, burnout.
Fitness to practise referrals ‘way too long’
John Makin, head of the DDU, said: ‘The emotional strain put on dental professionals undergoing a GDC investigation is enormous and cases take too long to process.
‘The most recent Professional Standards Authority (PSA) report shows that it takes an average of 140 weeks or over two and a half years for the GDC to progress fitness to practise referrals from receipt to final hearing, which is way too long.’
‘Last year, I had my first ever (and hopefully last) fitness to practise letter from the GDC… It was a stressful six-month wait until I heard that my case was to be dropped and would not proceed.’
DDU member
An earlier survey by the DDU found these were among the areas dental professionals want the government to prioritise.
One DDU member explained the impact of a fitness to practise investigation. They said: ‘Last year, I had my first ever (and hopefully last) fitness to practise letter from the GDC.
‘This was a big shock as I always strive to do my utmost for my patients and put their wellbeing first and foremost. It was a stressful six-month wait until I heard that my case was to be dropped and would not proceed.
‘Although dentistry continues to be a hugely fulfilling and enjoyable career, it can also be a stressful, difficult and thankless profession at times. I am so grateful for the DDU’s continuing professional support.’
The calls coincide with the Labour Party Conference, which is taking place from 22 September to 25 September in Liverpool.
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