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, what measures have been introduced since 1997 (a) to speed up the complaints process against hospital practitioners and (b) to increase the powers of the General Medical Council.

Answer: Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures have been introduced since 1997 (a) to speed up the complaints process against hospital practitioners and (b) to increase the powers of the General Medical Council. [28320] Mr. Hutton: In August 2000 the Medical Practitioners Act 1978 was amended to widen the General Medical Council's powers to act swiftly and effectively when a doctor's fitness to practise is first called into question. It introduced a minimum five-year period before a doctor who has been struck off the register may apply for restoration. It also enabled the GMC to co-opt non- members of the Council to any of its committees chiefly to help tackle the backlog of cases. The GMC have committed themselves to new service standards including that by May 2002, except in exceptional circumstances, cases are to be heard by the Professional Conduct Committee within a year of referral by the Preliminary Proceedings Committee.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 28320; 378 c690-1W;378 c686-7W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Complaints Administrative delays Doctors General Medical Council Hospitals Health professions Misconduct Powers
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk