GDC UPDATE THE FRANCIS INQUIRY Published 2013 Identified

GDC UPDATE

THE FRANCIS INQUIRY • Published 2013 • Identified significant failings in patient care in Stafford Hospital Trust by the Healthcare Commission in 2008. Report sought to examine the commissioning, supervisory & regulatory organisations in relation to their monitoring role at Mid-Staffs between 20052009 & why the serious problems were not identified & acted on sooner.

Implications for the Dental Team • Adoption of a patient-centred culture with a commitment to serve & protect patients. • Patient-centred care • Compliance with fundamental standards • Openness, transparency, candour • Available, accurate, relevant information

SUMMARY • Patients’ interests should be put first & health professionals need to be open about outcomes & performance, regardless of consequences to self or the organisations for which they work. • CONFESS WHEN YOU TRANSGRESS

The Montgomery Judgement 2015 • Deals with consent • It changes professional practice very little but brings the law into line with the ethical requirements imposed by the regulatory bodies eg GDC • Patients must be fully informed about the risks to them that any procedure carries and be permitted to decide whether to proceed at all or whether they wish to pursue alternative procedures or no treatment at all. • BDJ 219, 57 -59(2015) L. D’Cruz & H. Kaney

GDC Consultation • Section 60 Order to appoint CASE EXAMINERS who will be able to carry out the decision making functions that are currently performed by the Investigating Committee • A Case Examiner will have new powers to make an agreement with the registrant to help them meet the required standards. This could involve training, allowing the person to work under the supervision of another registered dental professional or by allowing them to work if they meet certain conditions.

GDC Standards for the Dental Team 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Put patients’ interests first Communicate effectively with patients Obtain valid consent Maintain and protect patients’ information Clear and effective complaints procedure Work with colleagues in a way that is in patients’ best interests 7. Maintain, develop & work within your professional knowledge & skills 8. Raise concerns if patients are at risk 9. Make sure you personal behaviour maintains patients’ confidence in you & the dental profession

Enhanced CPD 1. All dental professionals must have a Personal Development Plan 2. An increase in the number of verifiable hours for most professionals and these must be spread more evenly throughout the 5 year cycle 3. No longer a need to declare non-verifiable CPD to the GDC 4. You must make an annual statement of CPD hours completed, even if zero hours. 5. You are required to align CPD activity with specific development outcomes. 6. There is a requirement for professionals to plan CPD activity according to their individual “field(s) of practice”.

Enhanced CPD • Go online to check out Activity Log template and PDP template www. gdc-uk. org/professionals/cpd/enhanced-cpd • Minimum CPD Hours (5 year cycle) 1. Dentists 100 hours 2. Therapists, Hygienists, CDTs 75 hours 3. Nurses, Dental Technician 50 hours

“Never Events” • Definition- “serious incidents that are entirely preventable because guidance or safety recommendations providing strong systemic protected barriers are available at a national level and should have been implemented by all healthcare providers”.