SERVICE

Professional Regulatory And Disciplinary Law

Key contact

Morton Fraser Associate Andrew Gibson
Andrew Gibson
Senior Associate
Andrew is a senior associate and solicitor advocate within the Employment Law team, based in Glasgow.
0141 274 1158

We have a team of experienced lawyers, based in Edinburgh and Glasgow, who have an extensive range of experience in advising and representing individual registrants who have been referred to their professional regulatory body.  If you are a nurse, doctor, social worker, dentist or work in any other type of regulated profession we can assist you with bespoke advice, assistance and representation at competitive rates should you find yourself in the difficult situation of being referred to your professional regulatory body.  

What are Regulatory Bodies?

Many professions are now regulated by an official regulatory body.  In particular, healthcare regulation is a growing area and there is now a significant number of health and social care professions who require to be registered with their particular regulatory body if engaged in practice within Scotland. The table below lists some of the main regulators:

Profession Regulatory Body
Social Workers and other Social Service Workers The Scottish Social Services Council - SSSC
Health and Care Professionals Health and Care Professions Council - HCPC
Nurses and Midwifes The Nursing and Midwifery Council - NMC
Doctors The General Medical Council - GMC
Dentists The General Dental Council
Teachers General Teaching Council for Scotland - GTCS
Pharmacists General Pharmaceutical Council
Chiropractors General Chiropractic Council
Osteopaths General Osteopathic Council
Opticians General Optical Council

 

What do Regulatory Bodies do?

As well as maintaining registers and producing codes of practice, regulatory bodies can commence an investigation / disciplinary proceedings if they have concerns about a registrant's fitness to practise and sanctions can be imposed if fitness to practise is found to be impaired.

What is Fitness to Practise?

Each body has its' own definition but put simply, if someone is fit to practise, they have the appropriate skills, knowledge, character and health to practise their profession safely and effectively.

What if my Fitness to Practice is called into question?

If you have received correspondence from your regulatory body regarding your fitness to practise, it is recommended that you obtain specialist advice at an early stage. Whilst we understand it can be a daunting and worrying experience, try not to despair or immediately assume the worst - we can help guide and support you through the process.

Benefits we bring to you 

We have advised and represented clients before the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and Scottish Football Association Disciplinary Panel. We have a dedicated group of solicitors who have expertise in guiding people through the complex process of being investigated and charged by their regulatory body.