NHS Investigations, Tribunals and Disciplinary Hearings
BTO’s clinical defence team has considerable experience of representing healthcare professionals subject to investigation by the NHS in Scotland including Counter Fraud Service investigations into alleged NHS fraud and formal investigations carried out by Health Board appointed Fact Finding Panels into issues of professional conduct and competence.
The team handles a wide variety of NHS fraud investigations from misrepresentation of QOF data by general practitioners to over claiming of treatment by dentists and fraudulent patient registration by pharmacists. The NHS Counter Fraud Service is a specialist reporting agency, referring cases directly to the Procurator Fiscal, and its interviews, whilst voluntary, are carried out under caution. It is therefore essential for healthcare professionals to seek legal advice before accepting an invitation for interview.
The team has also represented doctors and dentists at the NHS Panels which consider whether or not to suspend individuals from the medical performers list or dental list. Suspension can be deemed necessary in a number of circumstances, the Panels often being convened when a healthcare professional is already subject to proceeding before the relevant Healthcare Regulator or subject to NHS investigation.
BTO’s clinical defence team has extensive experience of all aspects of these investigations and is well placed to assist healthcare professionals throughout the complex procedures involved up to and including both formal disciplinary action and criminal prosecution.