How to support healthcare professionals under investigation

The doctor support service can provide crucial support for healthcare professionals under investigation in your practice 

The GMC receives several thousand concerns every year; of these, approximately 80% are closed without investigation as they don’t meet the GMC thresholds, or aren’t matters that they can investigate. For the remaining 20%, the stress of these enquiries can be overwhelming.

The doctor support service (DSS) provides support for healthcare professionals under investigation and can help you support staff at your practice who may be facing a potential enquiry or going through the process.

What is the doctor support service?

The DSS is a confidential, emotional support service provided by the BMA for all doctors who have been notified by the GMC about a provisional enquiry, an investigation, or licence withdrawal.

Being subject to a complaint, or learning your licence is at risk, can be stressful and healthcare professionals can often feel like they have no-one to confide in while they go through the process of a GMC investigation. The DSS offers emotional support; it functions confidentially and is independent from the GMC.

You do not have to be a BMA member to receive support; DSS support is available to all healthcare professionals on notification by the GMS of an enquiry right through to the outcome of the case and is also available to those at risk of having their license withdrawn. 

What services are available?

Healthcare professionals can receive confidential, emotional support in a number of ways. 

Supporter – a supporter will talk to the individual about how they are feeling about the enquiry and help them find strategies to cope with the stress of the proceedings. They can accompany the individual under investigation if they are required to attend a fitness to practice hearing. However, the supporter is not able to offer legal advice, advocacy or any legal guidance about the enquiry. 

Telephone support – up to six hours of telephone support is available on notification by the GMS of an enquiry until the enquiry is concluded, or on notification from the GMC that your license to practice is at risk. Calls will usually take place during sociable hours at mutually convenient times agreed between a supporter and the individual seeking support.

Face-to-face support – subject to availability of the supporter, they can provide face-to-face support on the first day of a hearing and one further day if the hearing runs for more than one day. They can also schedule an orientation visit on the morning of the hearing to look around the hearing room before it starts.