The Dental Defence Union (DDU) has welcomed the findings of a review into the way healthcare regulators such as the GDC have responded to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Today’s publication of the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care’s (PSA) Learning from Covid-19 review found a number of reforms have taken place at the regulators because of the pandemic. These include a greater use of technology to enable remote participation in fitness to practise proceedings. However, the PSA concludes that the crisis has reinforced the urgent need for regulatory reform, to make healthcare professional regulation more agile.
John Makin, head of the DDU, said, “Dental professionals have waited a long time to see the GDC reformed. We agree with the PSA that the pandemic has highlighted the need for that reform to be delivered at pace. This cannot be delayed any longer. While the GDC has adapted fitness to practise and other processes during the pandemic, it is constrained by outdated legislation.
“The government is now consulting on detailed proposals to reform the healthcare regulators however, the GDC is not included in the first priority group for reform. The GDC must not be put to the back of the line. Dental professionals deserve a fitness to practice process that is as fair, robust and swift as possible.
“Today’s report from the PSA notes that organisations like the DDU have been concerned about the prolonged process of reform. We strongly urge the government to commit to introduce the necessary legislation to reform the GDC without further delay.”