The GDC have recently updated their protocol in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and reviewed how they hold their substantial fitness to practise hearings. In March 2020, the GDC moved towards holding remote hearings to ensure that any listed hearings could continue to be held however, there were some cases which were not suitable for hearing by remote means and were postponed.
The GDC have confirmed that remote hearings will continue in order to avoid dental professionals, witnesses, and legal representatives from having to physically attend in London as much as possible. However, from September 2020, the GDC are looking to see whether there are any hearings which could possibly be heard in person.
The GDC have stated that in order to reduce the risk to all participants, they are proposing that hearings will be heard in part remotely and part in person.
The GDC will only be holding one physical hearing per day at the hearing venue in London. The first in person hearing will not be listed before 7 September 2020 and the GDC state this will be kept under continuous review. The GDC expect that it will be amended later to hold two hearings per day as required.
If you have an upcoming fitness to practise hearing and would like to seek assistance, our Gordons Healthcare Regulatory Team are continuing to assist dental professionals in all aspects of GDC fitness to practise investigations and have attended hearings remotely. If you would like to speak to one of our team about your case then you can contact either Richard Creamer or Iain Pickering from our Regulatory department in our Guildford office on 01483 451 900, email them at richard@gordonsols.co.uk or iain@gordonsols.co.uk or alternatively make an online enquiry here.