Overwhelming evidence supports the fact that BAME healthcare professionals are disproportionately impacted by fitness to practise referrals and proceedings.

Last week I reported on a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) report highlighting that BAME nurses as disproportionately impacted by fitness to practise referrals and proceedings.

This is not the first such report.  Many of the other healthcare regulators have reported similar research and findings.  Research, in so far as it relates to fitness to practise for BAME healthcare workers, has clearly indicated that BAME healthcare workers are disproportionately impacted by fitness to practise referrals and proceedings. 

General Medical Council

General Dental Council

  • Asian or Other ethnicity, or those that trained outside the UK are more likely to have been involved in fitness to practise cases with the GDC

Social Workers

General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

There is also overwhelming evidence that healthcare workers fare much better in fitness to practise proceedings when they have legal representation and fully engage with the process.

It is clear that BAME healthcare workers are, generally speaking, at a disadvantage in practise because evidence supports that fact that they are disproportionately impacted by fitness to practise referrals and proceedings.  It is also the case however that evidence supports the fact that legal representation and engagement in the process improves the likelihood of a successful outcomes for healthcare professionals in fitness to practise proceedings.  The latter point may be particularly important for healthcare professionals with a BAME background.

Stephen McCaffrey

I am a HCPC Defence Barrister who has represented a large number of health and care professionals before the HCPC and other regulatory bodies in either first instance proceedings or appeals. 

I can help with all matters relating to HCPC Fitness to Practise referrals issues including:

  • Applications for Registration
  • Registration Appeals
  • International Registration
  • Temporary Registration
  • Internal Disciplinary and Grievance
  • HCPC Referrals
  • Fitness to Practice Hearings
  • Conduct and Competence Hearings
  • Health Committee Hearings
  • Interim Orders Hearings
  • Preparation for hearings
  • Representation at hearings
  • Preparation of witness statements

We are expert NMC Defence Barristers

Speak to an expert NMC Defence Barrister for expert legal advice and help.