Additional responsibilities of responsible officers: prescribed connection under regulation 8N.I.
14.—(1) Where a responsible officer has responsibilities under regulation 9 in respect of a medical practitioner who has a prescribed connection with a designated body in accordance with regulation 8, the responsible officer has the following additional responsibilities.
(2) In relation to monitoring medical practitioners’ conduct and performance, the responsible officer must—
(a)review regularly the general performance information held by the designated body, including clinical indicators relating to patient outcomes;
(b)identify any issues arising from this information relating to medical practitioners, such as variations in individual performance; and
(c)ensure that the designated body takes steps to address any such issues.
(3) In relation to ensuring that appropriate action is taken in response to concerns about medical practitioners’ conduct or performance, the responsible officer must—
(a)initiate investigations with appropriately qualified investigators;
(b)ensure that procedures are in place to address concerns raised by patients or staff of the designated body or arising from any other source;
(c)ensure that any investigation into the conduct or performance of a medical practitioner takes into account any other relevant matters within the designated body, for example wider concerns about operational or systems issues;
(d)consider the need for further monitoring of the medical practitioner’s conduct and performance and ensure that this takes place where appropriate;
(e)ensure that a medical practitioner who is subject to procedures under this paragraph is kept informed about the progress of the investigation;
(f)ensure that procedures under this paragraph include provision for the medical practitioner’s comments to be sought and taken into account where appropriate;
(g)where appropriate—
(i)take any steps necessary to protect patients,
(ii)recommend to the medical practitioner’s employer that the medical practitioner should be suspended or have conditions or restrictions placed on their practice, and
(h)identify concerns and ensure that appropriate measures are taken to address these, including but not limited to—
(i)requiring the medical practitioner to undergo training or retraining,
(ii)offering rehabilitation services,
(iii)providing opportunities to increase the medical practitioner’s work experience,
(iv)addressing any systemic issues within the designated body which may have contributed to the concerns identified,
(i)maintain accurate records of all steps taken in accordance with this paragraph.