§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements exist for the hearing of patients' complaints and disciplinary hearings following dental, hospital or community clinic prescriptions; and what penalties may arise from such hearings.
§ Mr. FreemanArrangements for dealing with complaints about hospital treatment or about community health services are covered by the Department's guidance (circular HC(88)37) issued in June 1988.
Family practitioner committees deal with complaints against general dental practitioners who can be warned to comply with terms of service more closely, have an amount withheld from remuneration, be required to submit estimates for prior approval by the Dental Estimates Board or be referred to the NHS tribunal which can remove a dentist from the family practitioner committee's dental lists. Action may be taken against hospital practitioners under local disciplinary procedures or the provisions of HM(61)112 which allows for a formal hearing of disciplinary cases. Any complaint found proved may lead to a formal warning, suspension or dismissal. Complaints of a serious nature may be referred to the General Dental Council which is empowered, after a hearing, to order a dentist's suspension or removal from the dental register.