Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 January 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 January 2002. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Monday, 21 January 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how long investigations into allegations of professional misconduct for hospital practitioners and the final judgment have taken for the last five years; and what the status is of the person under investigation while the complaint is being processed.

Answer: Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how long investigations into allegations of professional misconduct for hospital practitioners and the final judgment have taken for the last five years; and what the status is of the person under investigation while the complaint is being processed. [28319] Mr. Hutton: The General Medical Council does not collect data showing the time taken to conclude cases. Each case varies in complexity and length. Unless an order has been made by the Interim Orders Committee, a doctor under investigation is free to practise pending conclusion of the case. However, after the screening decision to proceed with an investigation, the GMC notifies the doctor's employer who may take steps in relation to the doctors continued employment.

Secondary information