Safeguarding

Safeguarding Patients 99
Rec Inquiry recommendation Government response
Para
Response
63 The November 2004 Rules should be amended
to give case examiners, and Investigation
Committee (IC) panels in cases where the case
examiners have disagreed, the power to direct
that an assessment of a doctor’s performance
and/or health should be carried out.
64 The GMC should develop an abridged
performance assessment to be used as a
screening tool in any case in which an allegation
is made which potentially calls into question the
quality of a doctor’s clinical practice.
65 In order to avoid doctors undergoing multiple
performance assessments, the GMC should
investigate the development of a modular
assessment.
66 The November 2004 Rules should be amended
to include a provision whereby reports of
performance assessments should be disclosed
by the GMC to doctors’ employers or PCOs as
soon as possible after receipt.
67 The power to send letters of advice should be
incorporated into the Rules and clear criteria for
the sending of such letters should be prepared.
Case examiners and the
Investigation Committee can seek
any information or evidence they
need before making a decision on
a case, which would include an
assessment of a doctor’s
performance or health. This is
reflected in the guidance on the
investigation stage test which is
available on the GMC website.
The guidance to the FTP rules has
been redrafted to reflect this. The
GMC intends to consult on the
revised guidance shortly.
The GMC has undertaken
extensive work with the Royal
Colleges on the development of
assessment instruments for
modular assessment and is
intending to pilot the approach in
general practice in 2007. Some
changes to the FTP Rules 2004
may be required before the GMC
could apply a modular or abridged
approach to performance
assessment.
See previous recommendation.
The duty to share the performance
assessment report with an
employer is in the rules at Rule
7(5) of the General Medical Council
(Fitness to Practise) Rules 2004.
The power to send letters of
advice is now incorporated in the
revised guidance to the FTP rules
on which the GMC will shortly be
consulting. The guidance includes
reference to the types of case in
which a letter of advice may be the
appropriate response. In future
many more cases may, subject to
the outcome of piloting, be handled
locally in discussion between the
local employer or PCT and the
GMC affiliate.