Professional Standards Authority publishes GPhC performance review for 2023/24

The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) has found that the GPhC met 17 out of 18 of its Standards of Good Regulation during 2023/24.

This year’s report covers the period from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. 

The report found the GPhC met 17 out of 18 Standards of Good Regulation. The PSA concluded that the GPhC has still not met Standard 15 relating to timeliness of fitness to practise investigations.

In the report, the PSA recognised the range of initiatives that the GPhC is taking forward as part of its strategy to improve timeliness, including creating a new Chief Enforcement Officer role to oversee the end-to-end fitness to practise function, and a New Case Action Team to deal with cases from referral to investigation more swiftly.

The report references that the GPhC has seen a 30 per cent year on year increase in FTP referrals received since 2022, but over the last year has reduced the overall caseload by six per cent and the overall investigation caseload by just under 12 per cent.

Chief Executive of the GPhC, Duncan Rudkin, said:

“Ensuring a fair, proportionate, and timely resolution of fitness to practise concerns remains the highest priority for everyone at the GPHC.  

“We recognise that there is some way to go but we are now seeing positive and sustained improvements in productivity and timeliness for dealing with cases, and we are confident that this will continue. 

“We are pleased that the PSA have noted that despite the challenges faced, including a 30 per cent year on year increase in FTP referrals, we have demonstrated our ability to manage and mitigate potential risk through our interim order process, as well as retaining all other standards, including those in relation to accessibility and the fairness and quality of our decision making.  We are also making significant reductions in our overall caseload.

“This is a clear reflection of the dedication and hard work of our teams across the GPhC.

“Our Council will continue to hold us to account as we work towards achieving the standard for timeliness, as well as continuing to meet all other standards for good regulation.”

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