What is fitness to practise?

Being fit to practise requires a registered professional to have the skills, knowledge, health and character to do their job safely and effectively.

Each regulator will have a code which sets out the professional standards that their registrants must uphold in order to be registered to practise in the UK.

If you are facing NMC, GMC, SWE or HCPC fitness to practise hearings, you are probably feeling both upset and very worried; quite justifiably so.  As an example, in 20% of NMC cases that go through a full investigation, the case ends with the nurses or midwife being struck off the register, suspended or subject to conditions of practice*. 

Even if we are not able to attend your hearing, our advice can be the difference between being struck off the register, and keeping your PIN.

Here’s an example of what we can do for you.

Case Study: Failure to adequately risk assess/provide adequate and safe care

“We represented a psychologist referred to the HCPC for multiple fitness to practice failures, including a failure to adequately risk assess and failure to provide adequate and safe care.

This was complicated by the fact that our client believed that the allegations were racially motivated and made by a complainant who enlisted the help of their local MP to pursue them.

After we had made detailed submissions to the HCPC, the Investigating Committee considered the case, and concluded that the allegations could not be proven.  They took only 6 sentences to dismiss the allegations.”

Testimonial

"I can highly recommend the service Marc offers. I was registered with HCPC as a registered psychologist with 35 years in practice when I contacted Marc in relation to an HCPC fitness to practice complaint that I had sought prior legal advice for via my insurers. It was the first complaint of my entire professional career and a malicious one. On the first occasion I spoke to Marc I realised I had been ill advised to provide documents I should not have by the previous representative.
From the outset, it was clear to me that Marc’s knowledge of HCPC’s processes was highly specialised. Although he came across as softly spoken, his letters to HCPC were concise, to the point and he certainly did not mince his words when highlighting the discriminatory nature of the vexatious allegations against me.
Eventually almost a year later, HCPC concluded there was no case to answer. I subsequently decided to de-register shocked by the entire process. It certainly was a shocking eye opener I could not have imagined having assumed that these formal processes were fair.
I found Marc to be accessible, responsive and knowledgeable throughout the entire process and would highly recommend him over and above the legal adviser my insurers referred me to. I am certain that without Marc’s skilful intervention I would have been entirely at the mercy of HCPC and the outcome would have been a hugely different one. Thank You Marc, your work is invaluable in what has become a risky time for professionals like myself."
M.J., Beds, Feb 2021