Blog
Enhancing Public Accountability: Key Elements of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2025
Kirsty Cook
Healthcare
GMC
GMC publishes an update on improvements to assure fairness in its processes
On 2 November 2023 the GMC provided an update on the improvements it has made to enable more efficient and proportionate investigations and flexible decision-making. These included: amending guidance so that decision makers have more flexibility to reconsider decisions to refer a case to a tribunal if the GMC receives new information that means a tribunal isn’t necessary; making sure barristers representing the GMC at tribunal hearings are asked to provide an assessment of its overall merits before it proceeds further; and updating the guidance that decision makers use in cases involving allegations of low-level violence and dishonesty.
NMC
NMC responds to Independent article about screening decisions and colleague concerns
As mentioned in the last Press Round-Up, an article published in The Independent claimed that whistleblowing is ‘being ignored’ by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The article included details of concerns raised by colleagues about issues including speaking up, discrimination and high workloads. On 19 October 2023 the NMC published a detailed response to the article.
GDC
GDC launches consultation on the format of hearings
On 23 November 2023, the GDC launched a 12-week consultation on the format of its hearings. The GDC invited views on proposals that would mean all practice committee and registration appeal committee hearings would be held remotely by default, while providing for requests for hearings to be held in-person to be considered and decided fairly.
Legal
BSB
BSB publishes 2022-2023 Regulatory Decision-Making Annual Report
The report, published on 11 October 2023, refers to the BSB’s focus this year (in the wake of a cyber attack in 2022 which halted its regulatory operations for weeks) on delivering core operations more efficiently, clearing backlogs, reducing caseloads, improving performance, and making sure that the BSB is properly staffed within its operational teams.
Consultation on the regulation of barristers in chambers
On 24 October 2023 the BSB issued a consultation seeking views on the regulatory expectations of chambers. The proposals in the paper seek to provide chambers with greater clarity on the BSB’s regulatory expectations in a range of areas including maintaining standards, bullying and harassment, wellbeing and anti-money laundering.
SRA
Details published of first fixed penalties
The SRA published details of the first fixed penalties it has issued since introducing the new fixed financial penalty regime - £750 fines were issued in relation to three firms for not complying with the SRA’s transparency rules.
Finance (inc. Accountancy)
ICAEW
ICAEW consults on amending its Code to introduce specific requirements to treat others fairly and with respect
On 1 December the ICAEW launched a consultation on introducing into its Code of Ethics a requirement that accountants treat others fairly, and with respect, and not harass, bully or unfairly discriminate against them.
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