Written question asked by Jim Cousins (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 27 March 1996. It was answered by Gerald Malone (Conservative) on Wednesday, 27 March 1996 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: What guidance has been issued on the appropriate timescale for initiating investigations of allegations of professional misconduct by health authorities and trusts. - Including ref to DH circular HC(90)9.

Answer: Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued on the appropriate time scale for initiating investigations of allegations of professional misconduct by health authorities and trusts.[22553] Mr. Malone: Guidance was issued in circular HC(90)9 to national health service employers in March 1990 on disciplinary procedures for hospital and community medical and dental staff. This guidance recommended indicative time limits for dealing with cases of professional misconduct. This states that the time taken from the decision that there is a prima facie case to referral of the final report to the employer should not exceed 32 weeks.

Secondary information