GOC revises rules for fitness to practise

The GOC has announced it has formally made the rules required to implement the civil standard of proof in fitness to practise hearings, following the conclusion of a consultation on the proposed amendments.

The revised rules will become effective from November 3, 2008, and will apply in all fitness to practise cases where the presenting officer gives the opening address to a substantive hearing. For existing cases which have already been 'opened', the criminal standard of proof will continue to apply.

As reported in Optician, (News, August 1), the move to the civil standard of proof will also see the transfer of the management of fitness to practise hearings from the GOC to the new body at a future date.