Fitness to Practise – Healthcare Professionals

Support for Healthcare Professionals Facing Fitness to Practise (FTP) Proceedings

Facing Fitness to Practise (FTP) proceedings can be one of the most challenging moments in a healthcare professional’s career, and the threat to your career is very real.

Whatever the reason for the FTP referral, whether you were expecting it following a dismissal; you self-referred due to a caution or conviction; or were referred by a colleague or member of the public, possibly even anonymously, your career and professional reputation are now at stake and you need expert advice and representation.

Expert Legal Guidance Every Step of the Way

Emma Davies, an Associate in our Litigation department, is an expert in this specialist field and has considerable experience representing nurses in FTP proceedings. Prior to joining Everys, Emma spent 13 years working in-house for the largest nursing union, helping and representing nurses subject to proceedings before their regulator, the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) and during investigations by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This experience has given Emma an in-depth understanding of the process and the emotional toll it can take.

Emma can guide you through the mountain of paperwork you will inevitably receive and advise you regarding the many questions you will be asked along the way. She will also help you stay on track and manage the deadlines you will be required to comply with.

With FTP proceedings involving several stages, Emma will advise you on your options, the work you need to do, and the evidence you need to gather in order to avoid a full hearing. Only the most serious cases proceed to hearing stage but there are opportunities to resolve cases earlier, and Emma will be your guide throughout the entire process.

Whether you need initial advice, full representation, or support at any point in between, Emma can help. Regardless of where you are in the process, she will help you find an approach that works for you.

Services Emma can help with:

• Fitness to Practise proceedings, from self-referral and screening stages to final hearings.
• Interim Orders Hearings.
• Fraudulent/Incorrect Entry proceedings.
• Applications for Agreed Removal.
• Revalidation appeals.
• Restoration to the register applications and hearings.
• DBS investigations and drafting submissions in response to “Minded to Bar” decisions.
• Challenging the disclosure of additional information on DBS certificates by the police.

Why Choose Specialist Legal Advice?

FTP proceedings are a niche area of law. Choosing a lawyer who has the in-depth knowledge and expertise in this highly specialised field can help improve your chances of an early resolution.

If you find yourself subject to FTP proceedings, please do not hesitate to contact Emma. She will help alleviate the burden and will provide clear, compassionate guidance through every stage of the process. With Emma’s guidance and advice, she will help you to remain an expert in your field.