When a complaint is raised about you with your regulator it can be a particularly difficult time for both you and those close to you.
You may not know where to turn to for advice and representation. Your reputation and your ability to work, develop your career and earn an income within the profession that you are committed to can be at risk.
The investigation and the regulatory decision-making process can be lengthy and may seem unclear.
Here’s what every healthcare practitioner under investigation 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 there can often be benefit to providing a response to a regulator, to do so without first obtaining advice can place a healthcare practitioner at potential risk of harming their case.
- Whilst each regulator and each case is different, there may be opportunities across the life of the case to resolve the complaint without the need for a hearing.
- Some cases (depending on the nature of the case and the regulator) may be able to be resolved by alternative means such as by consensual disposal.
- If a case cannot be resolved without a hearing, the slow-moving process, whilst frustrating can be often put to good use in the preparation of your case.
That is why getting specialist advice can be so important – whatever the stage your case is at – whether time is short or long!
Across the life of the case, there are points where you will be asked to provide a response to the regulator (e.g. NMC, HCPC, GMC etc). This is likely to be both within the investigation process and also after the investigation process.
If a decision is made following investigation that your case should be referred to a Committee for a hearing, there will be further opportunities to provide a response and to make important decisions about your case including how it may be able to be concluded.
I can provide you with specialist advice and representation at each and every stage of the process from first notification by the NMC until the conclusion of your case.
Urgent legal defence for healthcare practitioners
- I am a former healthcare practitioner and NHS manager. I have recent experience of advising and representing healthcare practitioners in matters involving complex clinical concerns, serious dishonesty as well as sexual misconduct.
- As a barrister that has completed public access training, I can be instructed directly by members of the public (including nurses, paramedics, doctors and any other healthcare professional) as well as by solicitors.
- Since qualifying as a barrister in 2009, I have specialised solely in professional regulatory law and have been instructed to act in hundreds of cases before tribunals and the High Court. I have extensive experience of advising and representing across the full range of healthcare regulatory proceedings including those before the NMC, GMC, GDC, HCPC, GOC, GOsC, and NHSE.
Why choose me?
✔Specialist barrister
✔Free initial consultation in order to better understand your requirements
✔Fees fixed in advance
✔Former NHS healthcare professional
✔National coverage
Summary – 5 points every healthcare practitioner 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 there can often be benefit to providing a response to a regulator, to do so without first obtaining advice can place a healthcare practitioner at potential risk of harming their case.
- Whilst each regulator and each case is different, there may be opportunities across the life of the case to resolve the complaint without the need for a hearing.
- Some cases (depending on the nature of the case and the regulator) may be able to be resolved by alternative means such as by consensual disposal.
- If a case cannot be resolved without a hearing, the slow-moving process, whilst frustrating can be often put to good use in the preparation of your case.
That is why getting specialist advice can be so important – whatever the stage your case is at!
Further information about me – my approach:
I am highly approachable and responsive through the life of a case (including evenings and weekends if required).
Following your enquiry I will speak with you as soon as possible and when convenient for you. This will enable me to better understand the assistance that you require and determine if the case is suitable for public access.
Please look at the section below to see what previous clients have said about me.
I am highly approachable, responsive, and pragmatic and am able to assist with the following:
- All aspects of professional disciplinary law / professional regulatory law
- Responding to allegations at the investigatory stage
- Advising on alternative disposal and voluntary removal
- Interim order hearings and applications to extend interim orders in the High Court
- All types of case / hearing including misconduct, health, convictions, unacceptable professional conduct, lack of competence, deficient professional performance
- Appeals against committee decisions
- Registration appeals
- Restoration hearings
What my clients say
“…From the outset Chris [Pataky] understood the complexities of my case and answered my questions using language that I found easy to understand. Chris is very professional, and he has a very kind manner which put me at ease…Chris’s advice was invaluable and his skilful representations on my behalf were successful in avoiding a full NMC hearing. Thanks to Chris I can continue without restrictions in my nursing career…” Healthcare Practitioner
“You have been amazing and I couldn’t have chosen a better barrister than you Chris. I will definitely be getting in touch with you Chris in the future for more assistance if needed as I am happy and confident you will provide the best service. Thank you so so much for your help, your time and how you’ve been there during this difficult process for me”. Healthcare Practitioner
“Thank you so much for all the hard work and dedication you have put into my case I really appreciate everything. You couldn’t of been better in representing me and you really are brilliant at what you do. You… got us a really good result that I am really pleased with so thank you so much, without your help I would not be in the positive position I am now in”. Healthcare Practitioner