§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring he undertakes of the handling by the General Medical Council of complaints raised against medical practitioners practising in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [149503]
§ Mr. DenhamAlthough no specific monitoring of complaints is undertaken, there are regular liaison meetings between departmental officials and the General Medical Council, where both policy and specific cases are discussed. In order to better address the concerns of patients, the GMC is currently carrying out a fundamental review of its structure.
§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the appeal structure for claimants dissatisfied by the decision of the General Medical Council. [149504]
§ Mr. DenhamCurrently, the only legal course of action open to complainants is to seek leave for the decision to be judicially reviewed. However, my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor has stated in another place on 20 July 2000,Official Report, House of Lords, column WA 103, that there are strong arguments for dealing with these cases at a lower judicial level. I understand a number of organisations, including the General Medical Council, are examining alternative models for new appeals arrangements. I shall expect them to consider whether these should include a legal appeals route for complainants.