Complaints and Disciplinary Inquiries

Complaints Against Doctors

What is the difference between the disciplinary and health procedures?

The two procedures are different because they are designed to deal with different types of cases. The disciplinary procedures are similar to a criminal investigation – the doctor is asked to respond to particular allegations. The final stage is a hearing, normally held in public, which is rather like a trial in the courts. If your complaint goes this far, you must be prepared to act as a witness and give evidence on oath at the hearing. Even if the hearing is held in public, an inquiry panel of the Medical Council does have power, in appropriate cases, to order that all or any of the information relating to the hearing must not be disclosed.

The health procedures involve a general investigation of the doctor's health and fitness to practise rather than the particular event leading to complaint. If the investigation finds a serious problem of health and if we believe the public are at immediate risk, we will always refer the case to the Health Committee for hearing. We will not allow a sick doctor to carry on practising medicine unless it is safe to do so and he is properly supervised. The health procedures take place in private.