Professionalism and Fitness to Practise processes Results from our medical school survey 1 May 2015 Dr Victoria Gauden Policy Manager GMC

GMC/MSC guidance review

GMC/MSC guidance review - milestones  Consultation to commence August 2015  12 week public consultation  Launch of new guidance – Q  Implementation – September 2016

GMC/MSC guidance review  Student professional values – an interpretation of Good Medical Practice for medical students  Student professionalism and fitness to practise – guidance for medical schools and universities on low level concerns and fitness to practise processes  High level framework outlining the process from monitoring of low level concerns to fitness to practise  Additional web based resources

GMC/MSC survey 2014  In autumn 2014 we surveyed all medical schools.  Processes for low level concerns and student fitness to practise.  Responses received from all 35 medical schools.

Professionalism and FTP process survey Conduct  Section 1: Low level conduct concerns  Section 2: Threshold for fitness to practise  Section 3: Investigation process  Section 4: Conduct issues – fitness to practise Health  Section 5: Low level health issues  Section 6: Health issues – Fitness to practise cases Appeals  Section 7: Process

Professionalism and FTP process survey

Low level concerns  All medical schools have a system for addressing low level concerns.  For the majority (33) this is at medical school level.  Health and misconduct issues dealt with by the same process in most schools.  Six have a separate process or specific committee for dealing with health.

Who deals with low level conduct concerns?

Addressing low level concerns

Powers for addressing low level concerns – by committee

Powers for addressing low level concerns – by individual

Thresholds for FTP and investigation process  15 schools said they use GMC/MSC guidance to determine threshold.  Three mentioned a specific structure for referral: three concern forms/warnings, red on RAG rating.  Most schools (30) specified they appoint a dedicated investigating officer.

Can cases go directly to FTP? Conduct Health

Occupational Health  Can students self refer to OH?

FTP Committee – roles and training  Usually a pool, including senior clinical and academic staff, and sometimes lay and/or student members.  Training varies. Almost all have E&D training for staff, but it appears that this is standard for all staff rather than specific to FTP role.

FTP Committee – highest level

FTP Committee – guidance  Is written guidance provided to students?

FTP Committee – legal representation  Is the student permitted legal representation?

FTP Committee - outcomes

FTP Committee – information  Is the student given an outcome letter?

Appeals – first stage  Level of first stage of appeal

Appeals – grounds for appeal  On what grounds can a student appeal a committee decision?

Appeals – second stage  Is there a second stage of appeal?

Conclusion  Processes vary between medical schools.  They have evolved considerably since our guidance was first published in  We will produce updated guidance that is flexible enough to use within existing processes.

Thank You

Professionalism: holistic approaches to health  “ A set of values, behaviours, and relationships that underpins the trust the public has in doctors.”