Specialist General Medical Council (GMC) Lawyers
Olliers Solicitors provide professional assistance to those facing proceedings before the GMC.
With offices in Manchester and London, we are able to provide expert representation for healthcare professionals throughout the course of their dealings with the GMC, advising at all stages of the disciplinary proceedings, from initial referral to the Interim Order Tribunal to, if necessary, full Fitness to Practice hearings before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS).
As professionals, we understand the anxiety that a potential appearance before a disciplinary committee can cause in terms of the potential loss of, or a restriction upon, one’s ability to practice. At all stages of the investigation we will make appropriate representations on your behalf with a view to allowing your practice to continue unhindered.
We have a developed a practice robustly defending professionals due to appear before the GMC, whether arising from criminal allegations or not and have earned a reputation for meticulous preparation, sound advice and excellent results.
What type of GMC matters can Olliers assist with?
We are also able to assist with the following:
- Assisting Doctors with notifications to the GMC
- Providing expert advice during the course of GMC investigations
- Advising on disclosure requests by the GMC
- Attendance at GMC meetings
- Preparation of responses to Rule 7 letters
- Advising in relation to warnings and undertakings
- Representation at Interim Orders Tribunal hearings before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS)
- Advising on GMC applications to the High Court to extend interim orders
- Representation at fitness to practise hearings before the MPTS
- Appeals to the High Court against decisions of the MPTS
- Applications for restoration to the Medical Register following erasure
Fitness to Practice before the MPTS
At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), the General Medical Council will present evidence and the doctor will also be able to give evidence. The tribunal will then determine if the facts of the allegation have been proven. If allegations are admitted or found proven, the tribunal will then determine whether or not the doctor’s fitness to practice is impaired. If they find the doctor’s fitness to practice is not currently impaired, then they can choose to either take no further action or issue a warning.
If the doctor’s fitness to practice has been found to be impaired, they will then go on to consider sanctions.
Sanctions
If the MPTS concludes that a doctor’s fitness to practice has been impaired, they will then go on to consider sanctions such as:
- Accepting undertakings agreed between the doctor and the GMC;
- Imposing conditions on the doctor’s registration;
- Suspension of the doctor’s registration;
- Erasure of the doctor from the medical register.
Legal Representation
Olliers work with the country’s leading barristers to ensure you receive the very best in terms of representation and advocacy throughout your case and at any hearing before the GMC. We understand the importance of the allocation of appropriate Counsel at the earliest opportunity, ensuring that your case is properly considered and dealt with throughout by an expert with specific experience of your particular difficulty.
Funding
Our competitive fee rates ensure our professional services are affordable and provide value for money.
Often, funding can be arranged either by way of specialised medical insurance or, on occasion, by virtue of a household insurance policy. Olliers are able to advise you and, if required, liaise with your insurance company in order to secure funding on your behalf.
Need a Specialist GMC Solicitor?
Should you require assistance with any matter before the GMC contact professional disciplinary lawyer, Ruth Peters, for an initial confidential consultation.
