At the end of the week, I always like to look back and reflect – it’s something which I have always tried to do – both in my previous career as a healthcare practitioner as well as in my current career too – as a lawyer.
Like most lawyers, I am reminded almost daily, of the huge privilege it is to do what I do- which is to assist and advise professionals – in the main healthcare professionals, who are subject to regulatory investigation.
Earlier in the week, I advised and represented a client who had been notified by their regulator that they intended to seek an interim suspension order.
The client had been notified of the hearing date – I was formally instructed shortly before.
The client had been served with a hearing bundle.
-as it happened the regulator had included only material supportive of the allegation.
Other documents previously served on the client (and submitted by the client) earlier in proceedings – materials which were supportive, had not however been included.
Whilst this was easily remedied by the provision of advice – the obvious question arose ‘what about those without representation and unfamiliar with the process’ -or those who cannot face the proceedings and decide to bury their head in the sand avoid them altogether?
The answer was potentially stark.
That is why I always say getting specialist advice can be so important – whatever the stage the case is at – whether at the start or towards the end – or in the interim – whether time is short or long…
It need not be costly and can have a significant impact on the approach taken in a case- and the outcome.
And what about the outcome of the hearing?
No interim order. No interim restriction to practice.
An experienced healthcare practitioner was able to continue practising and to earn a living – to support themselves and their loved ones.
The client was as you can imagine was overjoyed – and I was left with a reminder of how much I love what I do -–helping others – to help find solutions at difficult times. And that this is the greatest privilege of all.