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Home > Complaints and Disciplinary Inquiries > Complaints Against Doctors > What happens if your complaint is referred to the Preliminary Investigation Committee ("PIC")?

Complaints and Disciplinary Inquiries

Complaints Against Doctors

What happens if your complaint is referred to the Preliminary Investigation Committee ("PIC")?

If we decide to take forward a complaint about a doctor's conduct, our PIC, which always includes a lay (non-medical) member, will meet and review all the papers including medical records, and medical reports on the case. These will include your complaint and any comments the doctor has sent us in response. After considering the evidence the Committee can do one of the following:

  • Decide the case should have a public hearing before an inquiry panel of the Medical Council.
  • Send the doctor a letter of advice.
  • Refer the case for investigation of the doctor's health.
  • Decide no further action should be taken.

We will write to tell you and the doctor about the action the PIC has decided to take.