Fitness to Practise Inquiries

This Fitness to Practise Inquiries training programme covers the following topics:

• Understanding my role on an inquiry panel,
• Understanding the role of others at an inquiry,
• The role of the Legal Assessor and Medical Assessor,
• What is the significance of the Notice of Inquiry?
• Understanding the difference between factual allegations and grounds,
• The grounds of referral under your governing legislation?
• JR grounds and fair procedures at an inquiry,
• The onus and standard of proof at an inquiry,
• Understanding what will/may be presented to you before you before and at the inquiry,
• Case management and call overs,
• Dealing with preliminary applications – applications for privacy/anonymity; adjournments; witnesses’ summonses and other applications,
• The inquiry procedure,
• The role of the Chair at the inquiry and effective chairing skills,
• What constitutes evidence and understanding how the rules of evidence are applied,
• The difference between witnesses as to fact and expert witnesses,
• Understanding the role and duties of expert witnesses,
• Dealing with undertakings and consents at the inquiry stage,
• The deliberations stage- applying the standard of proof and determining whether the allegations and grounds are proven beyond reasonable doubt,
• Recommending sanctions,
• The importance of the public interest,
• The importance of reasons,
• Writing the report,
• What happens next – sanctions hearings, the right to appeal, confirmation of sanctions and publication.