Medical and life sciences

Contact: Dorothy Flower and Sian Morgan

Medical and life sciences

GDC updates guidance for handling professional conduct cases

The General Dental Council (GDC) has launched a consultation on proposed updates to the decision-making guidance for practice committees. These committees, part of the Dental Professionals Hearings Service, assess allegations concerning dental professionals' conduct, practice, or health. The revisions aim to improve alignment with hearing stages and enhance clarity. Key changes include new guidance on discrimination, harassment, support for vulnerable witnesses, and reasonable adjustments for registrants. The updates also address sexual misconduct cases, emphasising their seriousness regardless of whether the victim is a patient or dental team member. These proposed changes represent an effort to improve transparency, consistency, and proportionality in decision-making within the current legislative framework. The 12-week consultation ends on 26 November 2024.

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GDC releases findings from Overseas Registration Examination evidence call

The General Dental Council (GDC) has published the results of its call for evidence on the Overseas Registration Examination (ORE). While no major structural changes were deemed necessary, there is a clear need to improve examination availability. The GDC has increased ORE capacity using new legislation from 2023, with more flexible contracts planned for 2025. The feedback will inform future strategies for international registration routes, maintaining high standards while streamlining processes. The GDC is also seeking government input on provisional registration for overseas dentists. There are no immediate plans to introduce practical tests for international dental hygienists and therapists, but this remains under consideration. The GDC emphasises its commitment to public protection while aiming to make the registration process fair and efficient for internationally qualified dental professionals.

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Medical and life sciences

HCPC’s revised standards of conduct, performance, and ethics take effect

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has implemented revised standards of conduct, performance and ethics, along with updated social media guidance, effective from 1 September 2024. The HCPC regulates health, psychological and care professionals in the United Kingdom. These standards outline expected behaviours for registered health and care professionals, informing public expectations and guiding HCPC's decision-making processes. Registrants are now required to familiarise themselves with and adhere to these updated standards. The revisions, resulting from comprehensive stakeholder consultations, aim to ensure the standards' relevance to current practices and improve clarity for users. The standards serve multiple purposes, including setting public expectations, assessing applicants' character, and addressing concerns about registrants' practices. Professionals can also use these standards to seek support in meeting their professional obligations effectively.

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Publication of whistleblowing disclosures report

On 30 September 2024, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and other eight professional health and care regulators published a report with details of whistleblowing disclosure at each organisations. The HCPC in particular recoded seven whistleblowing disclosures during the 2023/2024 financial year, from employees, former employees and external organisations. The HCPC is committed to the improvement of their disclosure practices including reporting mechanisms and training and resources, to ensure disclosures are handled efficiently and securely.

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Integrated care systems: CQC update on engagement and health inequalities framework

The Care Quality Commission (CQC), National Voices, and the Point of Care Foundation are collaborating on a Regulators' Pioneer Fund project to develop an improvement framework for Integrated Care Systems (ICSs). The framework aims to enhance ICSs' engagement with communities to reduce health inequalities. The project has completed its scoping and co-design phases, involving stakeholders across health and social care sectors. The draft framework, designed through co-creation, includes various phases and domains for ICSs to assess their engagement practices. The next step is testing the framework with four volunteer ICSs in autumn 2024. The final framework and guidance are scheduled for launch in Spring 2025, with the goal of supporting ICSs in improving outcomes and reducing health inequalities through better community engagement.

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CQC to implement changes to have a more trusted approach to regulation

Following an interim report from Dr Penny Dash, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has announced it will implement its recommendations ahead of the final report being published. Immediate changes being implemented include the recruitment of a new CEO and appointment of three Chief Inspectors; a review of their single assessment framework; and expansion of a pilot project to inform their relationship with providers such as NHS trusts. The CQC is also looking to recruit more stuff and improve the way they use technology, including changes to their provider portal.

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Medical and life sciences

Nursing & Midwifery Council whistleblowing disclosures

On 30 September 2024, The Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) published the annual; report for whistleblowing disclosures jointly with other eight professional health and care regulators. The NMC reported 149 whistleblowing disclosures in 2023-24 and took 255 forms of action following the disclosures. 91 of these disclosures were referred to other regulators. The common themes observed among the disclosures include management issues, patient care, dishonesty, behaviour or violence; health and safety; medication management and prescribing. The NMC notes that concerns about the organisation itself and its culture were not a topic of the disclosures.

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NMC’s proposed changes to culture and regulation

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has outlined plans to transform its culture and regulatory performance following an independent review that revealed serious failings. The NMC proposes a multi-year culture transformation programme alongside rapid improvements to regulatory casework. Key initiatives include introducing an Independent “Empowered to Speak Up” Guardian, appointing EDI experts, and revising EDI and People Plans. The NMC is investing £30m in an 18-month improvement plan for fitness to practise processes, aiming to reduce screening and investigation timelines. A new safeguarding hub has been established to elevate focus on vulnerable individuals. The NMC commits to extensive engagement with colleagues and stakeholders and promises transparency through regular updates at Council meetings and to an oversight group including key stakeholders. These measures aim to rebuild trust and improve outcomes for the public and professionals.

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