Regulatory Defence Work

A career in healthcare is a calling and vocation. Healthcare professionals are dedicated to the service of others. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals study and work hard to give people in need the highest quality care, delivered with empathy and understanding.

For this reason, we understand the worry and distress that medical professionals face when accused of serious allegations of poor competence and misconduct.

Our specialist lawyers have extensive experience of defending healthcare professionals in relation to regulatory matters connected to working within the NHS and in private practice, specifically doctors in fitness to practise proceedings brought by the General Medical Council (GMC).

Dealing with healthcare regulatory matters

Healthcare professionals can be overwhelmed and feel that an investigation by their regulatory body will irreparably damage their career and reputation. But cooperative engagement with the regulatory investigation, while working in the best interest of our client, can achieve a fair conclusion. We know the power of quickly and fully engaging as early as possible in the investigation process to limit the impact on your professional and personal life.

What is important is to seek specialist advice to protect your interests as quickly as possible – and Birchall Blackburn Law’s healthcare team has the expertise and experience to help you.

Our experience supporting healthcare professionals

Our lawyers have experience of representing doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals in relation to full range of regulatory matters. This experience includes:

• Allegations of poor professional competence
• Allegations of serious misconduct
• Concerns regarding the health of practitioners
• Advising doctors in relation to investigations
• Communicating with the GMC regarding reportable events
• Specialist advice during a GMC investigation / representation at hearings
• GMC requests for disclosure of records and other information
• Attending meetings at the GMC
• Representation at fitness to practise MPTS hearings

If you have been accused of breaching professional regulations and a duty of care, we will provide you with all the support you need to work towards a fair outcome.

We will also help you to assess current procedures, guidelines, and protocols to understand the reasons behind any breach, assist you in building a robust defence, and encourage changes to established medical practices and procedures that ensure patient safety is improved.

What do I do next if I am being investigated?

It is vital that you urgently seek specialist advice from an experienced solicitor. The first response to an inquiry into your conduct can impact on the rest of the investigation. So, it is crucial that you are advised and assisted to respond in writing to initial correspondence before regulatory or court deadlines expire.

Regulatory defence penalties can include hefty fines and even a custodial sentence, so you should talk to us about our specialist services as quickly as possible. We would be happy to provide free and confidential initial advice with no obligation.