GOC fitness to practise investigation following health declaration

What happened

Nadia (not her real name) self-referred and made a health declaration to the GOC following an an episode of serious mental ill health at work and a consequent hospital stay. The GOC initiated fitness to practise proceedings, at which point Nadia sought our assistance.

How we helped

We assisted Nadia in defending fitness to practise proceedings which alleged that her ability to practise safely was impaired due to her health condition. Additionally, we instructed our own independent psychiatrist to undertake an assessment and draft a report, which varied to the opinion of the expert appointed by the GOC. Following joint expert meetings and a subsequent joint report, both experts opined that the member was not impaired.

The outcome

After perusal of our expert report, the GOC’s expert consequently agreed with the conclusion, that our member was not impaired and that the fitness to practise proceedings be closed with no further action. Nadia chose to return to work on a part-time basis.