The Health Professions Council (Conduct and Competence Committee) (Procedure) Rules Order of Council 2003

Further investigations

8.—(1) Before holding any hearing the Committee may carry out such investigations or seek such advice or assistance as it sees fit and, in particular, may—

(a) ask the health professional to provide a written description of his practice;

(b) inspect a sample of the health professional’s patient or client records;

(c) invite the health professional to take a test of competence; or

(d) interview the complainant, the health professional and any person nominated by the health professional.

(2) For the purpose of paragraph (1)(b) the Committee may only inspect patient or client records with the consent of the patient or client concerned unless the records are provided in a form from which the patient or client cannot be identified.

(3) For the purpose of paragraph (1)(d) the Committee may only interview a person with his consent and a person who consents to be interviewed may be represented at that interview by any person, whether or not legally qualified, except a member of the Council or any of its committees or a person employed by the Council.

(4) The Committee may invite any person who, in its opinion, has an interest in the proceedings to submit written representations and any such representations shall be sent to the Committee before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the date on which the invitation is sent to that person.

(5) The Committee shall provide the health professional with any information or opinion which the Committee has received and afford the health professional the opportunity to comment on that information or opinion either before or at any hearing conducted under rule 10.