Advice line: HCPC

Being investigated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) can be a stressful and difficult experience but the CSP can advise and, if necessary, represent you through the process. 

The HCPC is obliged to protect the public and it will normally begin an investigation into complaints that it receives. 

The process can be very slow but the HCPC can order an interim order hearing with as little as one week’s notice if it considers there is a serious risk to the public. This can result in conditions being imposed on your practice or suspension from the register. 

If the HCPC does not apply for an interim order the usual procedure is:

• A triage stage during which the HCPC will ask you and the complainant for more details. The HCPC may decide to take no further action at this point.
• If the HCPC decides that there is a potential case to answer then you will be sent specific allegations to answer, together with supporting
• information. Your response and the HCPC’s information is then assessed by an investigating committee panel, which can decide that no further action is required.
• If the panel agrees there is a potential case to answer, the HCPC normally instructs outside solicitors to gather evidence for the hearing. This can take many months and we would have time to prepare your best case for the final hearing. 
• The panel at the final hearing would have to decide whether the allegations are factually proven and, if they are, whether your fitness to practice is impaired at the date of the hearing.

If you are contacted by the HCPC it is always better to seek advice earlier rather than later.

You can do this by calling the CSP on 020 7306 6666. Any representation will be through me as the CSP’s legal officer or the union’s solicitors.

In the nicest way possible, I hope not to hear from you.

• Godric Jolliffe is a solicitor seconded from Thompsons Solicitors LLP as the union’s legal officer