I love what I do each day – providing advice and representation to professionals (in the main healthcare professionals) subject to investigation by their regulator.

Often facing serious allegations which are disputed – for example clinical concerns, dishonesty, harassment or -racially motivated conduct.

When speaking with new clients for the first time, I’m often struck by the real sense of despair felt as a result of the investigative process.

The length of time that the process often takes……

The slow drift that can often follows the initial notification of the complaint…[last week I advised a healthcare practitioner in relation to allegations dating back to 2019!]

• the frequency of emails or letters received from the regulator (feelings that many are asking the same or similar questions over and over again) …
• round and round the process seems to go…
• the regulator seemingly unable to progress the allegation but also unable to bring their investigation to a conclusion…

• onwards it rumbles…
• feelings of uncertainty, often continuing for years, since the alleged events took place …

All the while, the professional feels under a dark cloud – the allegations daily impacting on both professional and personal reputation….

But here’s what every healthcare professional should know:

• Ignoring letters at the early stages of an investigation is unlikely to help and could even mean missing out on opportunities to close the case.
• Whilst each case /regulator is different, there may be opportunities across the life of the case to resolve the complaint without the need for a hearing.
• If a case cannot be resolved without a hearing, the slow-moving process, whilst frustrating can often be put to good use!

That is why getting specialist advice can be so important – whatever the stage the case is at – whether time is short or long…