From: "Jeff Green" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 11:33 PM
> Julian
> > how can the regulation of medicine be made
> > better?
> I think it needs to be made faster - from the reports the
> public (like me) get to see - it seems to take several years
> to get to the GMC during which time the the guilty
> continue to practice.
The Interim Orders Committee was brought in as a result of Shipman - it is
convened quickly and means that a doctor can now be suspended or subject to
conditions on the basis of prima facie evidence if there is a danger to the
public - it has to be a pretty strong case not just a single statement with
no supporting evidence (Human Rights Act / proportionality)
> > Is the sacrifice of innocent, or at least just humanly fallible
> > doctors, a reasonable price to pay?
> c.f the continued sacrifice of patients to those unfit to practice.
>
> the case of Brewer et al -
>
> "c. On 31 May 1990 Mr RF first attended the Centre. He was then
aged 23,
> e. Before prescribing to Mr RF you did not establish that the
patient was able to pay for treatment through
> legitimate means."
>
> Now IF this is worthy of the GMC is a separate question - but 14 years
between the alleged offence and the GMC doing
> something is insane.
But Jeff, the GMC can't start work until they receive sufficient evidence to
produce a case. Once they receive that evidence they may go back further in
the case of the investigation. Current time targets for hearings are 4
months to preliminary proceedings and a full hearing of the conduct
committee within 12 months. As I said above the doctor can be stopped before
then if there seems to be a clear danger to the public. The Brewer et al
case was adjourned wasn't it due to the ill health of one of the doctors?
The health procedures are different from conduct but in general it's
impossible to get to the full health committee in less than four months
owing to the need for medical examinations and reports & giving the doctor
enough time to respond. Sick doctors are not the same thing of course and
don't usually come to light via complaints.
--
Fay
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