Legal representation in regulatory proceedings can be expensive. However Regulatory Defence was able to tailor the legal services we provide in order to work closely with a Pharmacy Technician who was facing a GPhC hearing.
The hearing focused on the Technician’s fitness to practice. This was due to impairment grounds related to a conviction for racially aggravated assault and a misconduct allegation involving inappropriate drug use.
In the weeks leading up to the hearing, Regulatory Defence worked closely with the registrant. They provided specific legal advice and helped review and draft the submissions presented to the panel, which addressed both the impairment and potential sanctions.
Thanks to the combined efforts of the registrant and Regulatory Defence’s expert knowledge of regulatory proceedings, the panel reached a favourable decision. They found no impairment and issued a 12-month warning instead, serving as a reminder for the registrant to maintain professionalism at all times.
If you are facing a
A GPhC fitness to practise hearing takes place before the Fitness to Practise Committee, an independent panel that considers cases referred to it by the Investigating Committee. Hearings are usually held in public. The GPhC is represented by a presenting officer. The registrant has the right to be legally represented, and representation is strongly advisable given the formal and adversarial nature of the process.
The panel must make three sequential decisions. First, whether the facts alleged are proved. Second, whether those facts, if proved, amount to impaired fitness to practise. Third, if impairment is found, what sanction if any is appropriate. The sanctions available to the panel range from a warning to conditions of practice, suspension, and removal from the register.
Where the facts are not seriously disputed, as was the case here, the hearing focuses primarily on whether the facts amount to impairment, and on sanction. Written submissions addressing impairment and sanction are critical. The panel will consider factors including the seriousness of the conduct, the degree of insight shown, evidence of remediation, and whether the registrant poses a continuing risk. In this case, the panel was persuaded that conditions of practice, rather than suspension or removal, were the appropriate outcome.
If you are facing a GPhC hearing, the written submissions prepared in advance are often the most important element of your defence. Contact us as early as possible to allow time for thorough preparation.
If you are a pharmacist or pharmacy technician facing GPhC fitness to practise proceedings, our GPhC fitness to practise solicitors can advise and represent you at every stage.fitness to practise hearing or involved in an investigation and feel you cannot afford expert legal advice, Regulatory Defence can assist you. Please get in touch with Regulatory Defence today. We offer tailored services depending on your circumstances and the facts of your investigation or hearing.