Nicola Wheater, Author at Ridouts Solicitors

A change afoot for self-employed healthcare practitioners and enhanced DBS checks?

Safeguarding all patients, including children and vulnerable adults, is of paramount importance. Accordingly, all registered healthcare practitioners accept that they will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (“DBS”) checks, usually enhanced or enhanced with barred list checks, when employed or contracting with certain organisations. This not only provides the required assurances to those employing …

A change afoot for self-employed healthcare practitioners and enhanced DBS checks? Read More »

Pharmacists To Play A Critical Role In Vaccination Delivery

News / By Nicola Wheater

The Health and Social Care Committee (“HSCC”) have recommended that pharmacists play a ‘critical role’ in the delivery of vaccinations within the UK to improve vaccination access. Whilst agreeing with the Director of Market Access and Policy Affairs of Moderna, Stuart Carroll that pharmacists ‘deliver a significant number of vaccines already’, the HSCC agreed that …

Pharmacists To Play A Critical Role In Vaccination Delivery Read More »

What Are The Regulatory Risks Of Providing On-Line Healthcare Services?

Articles & Publications / By Nicola Wheater

Given the increased cost of living, many healthcare providers may be considering moving their service online to reduce overheads. Whilst this is an option for some healthcare providers, such as pharmacies and doctors providing online consultations, it will not be feasible for others. Moving a service online has distinct advantages, but a provider’s regulatory responsibilities …

What Are The Regulatory Risks Of Providing On-Line Healthcare Services? Read More »

Dealing with Patient Complaints

News / By Nicola Wheater

As all Doctors will be aware, receiving a letter from the General Medical Council (“GMC”) can be a daunting experience. However, receiving a letter from the GMC confirming that a complaint has been raised against you by a patient, and the GMC are now investigating that complaint, can be a frightening experience. Whilst some Doctors …

Dealing with Patient Complaints Read More »

Court Permits Top Up Fees In Dentistry. Will Social Care Follow Suit?

Articles & Publications / By Nicola Wheater

Background In the recent case of The General Dental Council v Lucy Jane Williams [2023] EWCA Civ 481, the Court of Appeal confirmed the National Health Service (General Dental Services Contracts) Regulations 2005 (“Regulations”) did not prevent “two different parts of a course of treatment” (e.g. National Health Service [“NHS”]) and private treatment) being carried …

Court Permits Top Up Fees In Dentistry. Will Social Care Follow Suit? Read More »

Professional Discipline: ‘The Burden Of Old Cases And Timeliness’

Articles & Publications, News / By Nicola Wheater

A Roundup of the Professional Standards Authority’s Performance Reviews for 2021/2022 It’s that time of the year again. The time when the Professional Standards Authority (“PSA”) completes its annual review of all ten statutory healthcare regulators for the preceding year and publicly critiques their performance. Essentially, highlighting the concerns which registrants and their legal representatives …

Professional Discipline: ‘The Burden Of Old Cases And Timeliness’ Read More »

Professional Discipline: A Change In Name Alone? The NMC’s Replacement Of Voluntary Removal With Agreed Removal

Articles & Publications, News / By Nicola Wheater

This week, the Nursing & Midwifery Council (“NMC”) announced their decision to introduce ‘agreed removal’ for nurses, midwives and nursing associates (“registrants”) replacing the previously known process of ‘voluntary removal’. Voluntary removal As readers will be aware, voluntary removal was the process by which registrants applied to voluntarily remove themselves from the NMC register for …

Professional Discipline: A Change In Name Alone? The NMC’s Replacement Of Voluntary Removal With Agreed Removal Read More »

Government Confirms Commitment To Licensing Of The Non-Surgical Aesthetics Sector

Articles & Publications, News / By Nicola Wheater

The Government has reconfirmed its commitment to the licensing of the non-surgical aesthetics sector in England. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy, Maria Caulfield stated that “departmental officials will work as quickly as possible to introduce the licensing scheme and will consider all the important areas.” As readers will be …

Government Confirms Commitment To Licensing Of The Non-Surgical Aesthetics Sector Read More »

General Chiropractic Council issues polite reminder to registrants

News / By Nicola Wheater

Within a news article on the General Chiropractic Council’s website today, the General Chiropractic Council (“GCC”) have reminded registrants of the requirement to make a declaration to them within seven days if they have been arrested or charged in connection with any criminal offence. As readers will be aware, the GCC is the statutory regulator …

General Chiropractic Council issues polite reminder to registrants Read More »

Duty Of Candour – Are We Beginning To See A Growth In Prominence?

Articles & Publications / By Nicola Wheater

As all Providers and Registered Managers will be aware, Regulation 20 of the Health & Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (Duty of Candour) states that “Registered persons must act in an open and transparent way with relevant persons in relation to care and treatment provided to service users in carrying on a …

Duty Of Candour – Are We Beginning To See A Growth In Prominence? Read More »

Nicola Wheater

Proud partners of: