The MDU, the parent company of the DDU, has published a list of the government priorities today to coincide with the Labour party conference.
The defence organisation is calling for the government to reform healthcare professional regulation, tackle the huge cost of clinical negligence claims and do more to protect dental professionals' health and wellbeing. An earlier survey by the DDU found these were among the areas dental professionals want the government to prioritise.
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."
One DDU member explained the impact of a fitness to practise investigation, saying:
"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."
John continued:
"Although in this case the GDC investigation concluded in six months, it still caused significant stress for our member and many have to wait far longer for their case to conclude. It’s not surprising then that members tell us that undergoing a GDC investigation is one of the most difficult experiences of their professional lives.
"The stress of being under scrutiny during a lengthy and potentially career-ending fitness to practise process can have a devastating impact. Fitness to practise procedures are too rigid, take too long and are governed by outdated legislation.
"The government must prioritise reform of the healthcare professional regulators. Dental professionals have waited a long time for this, which is unfair.”
Reform of regulation is just one item on the list of priorities for the government. The full list is published today in a paper called 'An agenda for change', and includes:
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 been 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 experience or feel at risk of burnout.
This page was correct at publication on 23/09/2024. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.