Nicola Wheater, Author at Ridouts Solicitors

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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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GMC Edges One Step Closer To Regulating Physician Associates And Anesthesia Associates

News / By Nicola Wheater

On 17 February 2023, the Department of Health and Social Care (“DHSC”) published the response of their Consultation entitled ‘Regulating healthcare professionals, protecting the public’ which ran from 24 March 2021 to 16 June 2021. Seventy questions pertaining to four key areas of reform; Governance & operating framework, Education & training, Registration, and Fitness to …

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Check Your Trees! Care Home Fined £400,000 For Injuries Resulting From Fallen Tree

Articles & Publications, News / By Nicola Wheater

The Health and Safety Executive (“HSE”) has successfully prosecuted Bupa Care Homes (CFHCare) (“Bupa”) under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for failing to provide and implement a system of tree management at the Oak Lodge Care Home in Southampton (the “Care Home”). The HSE’s prosecution stemmed from an …

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Nicola Wheater

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