Statistical summary: 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
This information is taken from our Fitness to Practise Annual Report published in October 2024 , the report provided some analysis of our data in order to inform stakeholders and the public about this part of our work.
Outcomes
In 2023–24 we closed 704 cases as they did not meet our threshold policy, and 273 cases were closed by an Investigating Committee Panel (ICP), as there was no case to answer.
Case to answer
No case to answer
Adjourned
Cases where an ICP decided there was a case to answer were either referred to a Conduct and Competence Committee or Health Committee, depending on the allegation(s).
Outcomes summary
In 2023–24 there were fewer cases referred to the ICP, and we continued to close a significant number of cases at our triage and threshold decision stages.
The proportion of cases closed as they did not meet our threshold increased last year, with 51% of cases being closed at this stage compared to 44% in 2022–23, suggesting that we have been receiving a higher number of lower level concerns. We also increased the number of cases concluded at a final hearing in 2023–24 compared to last year
Case closed pre-ICP
Case closed at ICP
Case concluded at final hearing
Final hearing outcomes
221 cases were concluded at final hearings where 125 sanctions were imposed.
Struck off (including three by consent)
Removed following fraudulent or incorrect entry process
Suspended (including two by consent)
Cautioned (including two by consent)
Conditions of Practice (including two by consent)
Removed by consent
Not well founded, discontinued or no further action
Cases concluded by consent
Our consent process is a means by which we, and the registrant concerned, may seek to conclude a case without the need for a contested hearing. In such cases, both parties consent to conclude the case by agreeing an order. The order is of a type that the panel would have been likely to make had the matter proceeded to a fully contested hearing.
In some cases, both parties may also agree to enter into a voluntary removal agreement. By voluntary removal agreement, we allow the registrant to remove themselves from the Register. This is on the basis that they no longer wish to practise their profession and admit the substance of the allegation that has been made against them.
29 cases were concluded by consent in 2023-24
Consent - Caution
Consent - Conditions of practice
Consent - Suspension
Consent - Strike Off
Removed by consent
Appeals against decisions
Registrants may appeal against a HCPTS panel’s decision if they think it is wrong or unfair. An appeal must be lodged at the relevant court within 28 days of the hearing. Appeals are made directly to the High Court in England and Wales, the High Court in Northern Ireland or, in Scotland, the Court of Session
Upheld and outcome substituted
Upheld and case remitted to regulator for re-hearing
Settled by consent
Dismissed or not upheld
Restoration to the register
A person who has been struck off our Register and wishes to be restored can apply for restoration under article 33(1) of the Health Professions Order 2001. A restoration application cannot be made until five years have elapsed since the striking-off order came into force.
Total restoration applications received: 7
Applications accepted
Applications rejected
Interim orders
For the most serious cases, HCPTS panels may impose interim suspension or interim conditions of practice while an investigation is ongoing. These interim restrictions are to protect the public, to protect the registrants from harm to themselves or are otherwise in the public interest.
The panels considered 150 applications for interim orders, 126 were granted and 24 were not.
Conditions of Practice - Interim Order
IO not granted
Suspension - Interim Order
Further information
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