Consensual disposal of some fitness to practise cases: consultation

GOsC consults on consensual disposal of certain fitness to practise cases

The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) is inviting views on a proposal to use consensual disposal under Rule 8 of the Professional Conduct Committee Procedure (PCC) Rules in certain fitness to practise cases.

‘Consensual disposal’ allows for cases to be concluded by agreement following the investigation stage of a complaint. It is an alternative to referring the case forward for a full hearing before the PCC where the PCC has reviewed the evidence and considers that the complaint should be dealt with by admonishing the osteopath. In some instances, this may be considered to be the most appropriate and proportionate way of dealing with a complaint.

More information is given in the Consensual Disposal Consultation Note about the background to the proposal, and how the Rule would operate, but it is an essential element of the Rule that a case can only be disposed of without a full hearing if the osteopath:

• Admits all the facts set out in the complaint
• Admits that those facts amount to unacceptable professional conduct, professional incompetence or that he or she has been convicted of the offences referred to in the complaint.

If a case is disposed of under Rule 8, even though there has not been a full hearing, the PCC’s decision will still be a determination of the case and will therefore be publicised in the same way as other cases which result in an admonishment of the osteopath.

Further information about the consultation and how to respond is available on this website at www.osteopathy.org.uk/news-and-resources/document-library/our-work/consensual-disposal-consultation-note/