A report from the new chief executive of the GOC and approval of the revised protocol on criminal investigations and prosecutions were among the principal issues tackled at the 194th meeting of the GOC on May 19.
After making a number of decisions in its meeting on January 27 (News 04.02.11) such as agreeing the removal on the ban on bringing prosecutions over allegations of unlawful sale, the GOC revealed it was currently looking at 81 allegations (See page 5).
The main amendment to the protocol was to remove the requirement for all decisions to be referred to the Council's investigations committee and for mandatory consultation of Council members. The revised protocol delegates to the registrar the decision on whether to investigate or bring a prosecution and they also have discretion on whom to consult.
Samantha Peters, the GOC's chief executive and registrar, also presented her first activity report at the meeting in which she outlined the external activity she has been undertaking, together with updates from the GOC's internal departments. She stated that she wished for the GOC to 'move beyond occasionally having meetings with stakeholders' to engaging them through seminars or policy conferences.
A presentation was also made to the Council from Baroness Jill Pitkeathley, chairman of the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE), and Ian Hamer, a CHRE Council member in which they outlined a number of issues. These included the political context within which they and the regulators are all operating, changes in funding streams and their new responsibilities as the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.
In her report, Peters said that she understood that the CHRE considered the GOC's work to be efficient and effective and that it expected to receive a positive review for 2010/11.