Medical Regulation & Compliance Solicitors
KLS Law provide a wide range of medical regulation and compliance support; including advocacy, legal representation during regulatory investigations and prosecution defence across the UK.
As one would expect, the healthcare industry is heavily regulated with a wide spectrum of rules and regulations which health care professionals are required to follow.
If a healthcare professional is faced with an allegation that can affect their reputation or job prospects, it is important to obtain sound & objective legal advice swiftly.
The professionals we can assist with regulatory matters include:
- Doctors
- Dentists
- Pharmacists
- Nurses and Midwives
- Opticians
We defend these professionals when action is taken by the following regulatory bodies:
- General Medical Council
- General Dental Council
- General Pharmaceutical Council
- Nursing and Midwifery Council
- General Optical Council
Regulatory representation services
We are passionate about representing medical professionals in a variety of legal matters.
KLS Law regulatory representation services include:
- Understanding what regulations impact upon you and your employees and how
- Advocacy, preparation and representation at regulatory hearings
- Negotiation and mediation
- Compliant contracts
- Compliant policies and procedures
- Effective auditing advice
- Reporting to auditors and complying with information requests
- Managing regulatory investigations
- General advice and consultancy
Helpline
If you want to speak to an experienced solicitor on a wide range of legal issues arising from your work as a medical professional, you can do this in two ways:
- Complete our enquiry form and we will get in touch to arrange a call; the first hour consultation will be limited to a £75 + VAT.
- Arrange to come and see us and we will also provide a one hour first appointment for £75 + VAT.
PLEASE NOTE: Whilst the UK is under lock down restrictions we will offer remote video consultations or telephone calls in place of face to face appointments.
During the initial consultation, we will provide advice on what actions needs to be taken next and confirm the costs of us acting on your behalf.
You will then have the option to decide which member of the team you want to speak to.
Experts in Medical Regulation and Compliance
We are experienced in providing legal support and representation to those within the healthcare industry, and we have a comprehensive understanding of the expectations and requirements set out by key regulatory bodies.
If you are in a regulated industry, it is vital that you understand what these regulations are and how they impact you.
We can help you stay compliant, anticipate potential regulatory issues and plan ahead to overcome these challenges as effectively as possible.
As well as providing expert legal advice, we also defend businesses and individuals in court, prior to disciplinary action being taken.
Our first-hand experience dealing with regulatory bodies and their strategies means we are in the best possible position to help limit damage to your professional and personal life in a discreet, professional manner.
To speak to a medical regulation solicitor, phone 0800 015 1470, submit an enquiry form or request a call back using the form below.
Case Study: Character references can make all the difference
We provided representation to a registered pharmacist facing very serious allegations of theft and dishonesty. Full and detailed instructions were taken, video footage was reviewed, witnesses were sought; not just in relation to the incident but the character. The Partner dealing with the matter (solicitor advocate) represented the pharmacist at a 2-day hearing before the Fitness to Practice Committee of the General Pharmaceutical Council in London.
Following detailed submissions, the panel concluded that, whilst items had been taken, this was due to prevailing personal circumstances affecting the pharmacist at the time. Importantly, there was no finding of dishonesty, but the committee upheld that the pharmacist had failed to follow procedures when taking the items. After carefully and methodically going through mitigation at the fitness to practice and sanction stage, the Committee were persuaded to issue the pharmacist with a warning letter with no further action being taken.
This case highlights the importance of obtaining character references and witnesses. Gathering evidence for stage 2 and 3 of the process, addressing insight, impact of professional/family life, knowledge and skills, as well as clear evidence reflecting upon the matter, all highlight the impact of the sanction that is ultimately imposed.
Dispute support for medical staff
We will review your terms and conditions of service and assist you with any dispute that may relate to renumeration, employment contracts or involve a complaint of bullying, harassment, discrimination or whistleblowing.
We will provide quality advice and representation in the employment disciplinary process, whether that relates to performance capability or any other issue.
We employ experts in the drafting and interpretation of employment contracts who will be able to advise on how the relevant tribunal is likely to view your case, its powers and its levels of discretion.
If there are allegations of a regulatory breach, statutory breach or allegations of a criminal nature, we will preserve your employment position or exercise such right of grievance or appeal as you have, pending any adjudication by a tribunal or court.
Our representation will be available before the Clinical Commissioning Group, private hospitals or NHS Trusts.
The importance of expert legal advice
The powers of regulatory bodies are wide ranging and initially the referrals are triaged by the regulatory body, who then decide what action should be taken.
It is important that you are represented as soon as an allegation is made against you as sometimes the issue can be dealt with swiftly if your side of the matter is put forward at an early stage.
Investigations may lead to tribunal hearings and result in erasure from the list, warnings or suspension.
Depending on the nature of the allegation, you may be covered by insurance but in certain instances insurance will not cover you.
If this is the case, we will advise you in writing of the appropriate action that needs to be taken and our charges for your representation.
In any event, before approaching your insurer you may want an objective opinion as to your position and how that can be best presented to preserve your employment position.
Allegations may include:
- Mistakes in clinical care
- Failure to obtain appropriate consent for procedures
- A failure to keep proper records
- A failure to maintain professional indemnity insurance
- Cross infection issues
- Breaches of confidentiality
- Indications of a criminal act such as theft, dishonesty or sexual misconduct
For urgent advice, please email or ring us and your matter will dealt with in complete confidence.
Criminal Defence for Medical Professionals
Medical professionals can be accused of improper conduct, assault, sexual misconduct with a patient, fraud or misappropriation.
Other areas in which medical professionals may be brought before the court relate to Health and Safety breaches, data protection breaches or acts of unlawful discrimination based on the grounds of sex, race, disability, age, religious belief or political opinion.
Our criminal defence lawyers have over 25 years’ experience in representing medical professionals and will be able to assist in protecting your reputation, assets and livelihood.
Our lawyers are knowledgeable, reliable and discreet and will work with you tirelessly to get the right result.
Why choose KLS Law?
Whether you are looking for general regulatory advice or an investigation is looming, the KLS Law team will fight to clear your name and mitigate damage, using our decades of experience to ensure you receive the best possible outcome.
We will act swiftly with the utmost discretion and respect for your priorities, ensuring you are back to business as usual as soon as possible.
Our experienced legal professionals work nationally and can assist you regardless of where you live, with various funding options available for your needs.
Contact our experienced solicitors on 0800 015 1470, contact us through our enquiry form or request a call back below and we will get in touch at a time most convenient to you.
Case Study: The Importance of the right representation
Regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC), proceedings were brought against our client, a Consultant, before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS). The Consultant failed to follow procedures regarding patient feedback, which was allegedly fraudulent and dishonest. The central allegation being that the Consultant had completed the patient feedback questionnaires.
At a case management hearing, we robustly pursued an order that our client was entitled to call their own expert evidence in the form of a handwriting expert to ensure equality of arms. At the first day of the hearing, we successfully challenged the GMC’s handwriting expert evidence, leading to the redaction of the report.
Following a hearing lasting several days, the MPTS concluded that there had been no forgery or dishonesty on the part of our client but there had been a failure to follow procedures (which had been admitted at the outset). After an impairment and sanction hearing, with references being submitted from multiple sources and statements in support, the MPTS imposed a one-month suspension. Following further training being completed and a review hearing as a direct consequence of representations of this firm, the suspension period was brought to an end without our client having to complete the full one-month period of suspension.
This difficult and hard-fought case shows that, with the right representation and access to appropriate experts including leading counsel, very serious allegations leading to the erasure from the register were avoided.
