Associates tribunals - How they work
- Appeals
- Associates tribunals
What they do
These tribunals decide if a physician associate's (PA) or an anaesthesia associate's (AA) fitness to practise is impaired and what action, if any, is needed.
How they work
The General Medical Council (GMC) can refer a case against the PA or AA to a tribunal following an investigation into a concern raised to them.
These hearings are public, except where they're considering confidential information, or information about a PA or AA’s health.
Who makes the decisions?
Tribunal members make the decisions. We appoint three to each hearing and there must be at least one registrant and one lay member.
Legal advice
Most hearings will have a legally qualified chair who sits as part of the tribunal and advises on points of law. Some cases may have a legal assessor who advises the tribunal on points of law, but plays no part in decision making.
Tribunal decisions
A tribunal decides if:
- the facts alleged have been found proved
- the PA or AA's fitness to practise is impaired
- any restrictive action should be taken following this finding of impairment.
A tribunal can:
- take no action
- place conditions on the PA or AA's registration
- suspend the PA or AA's registration
- remove the PA or AA’s name from the GMC Registers so they can no longer practise.
Tribunals refer to our guidance when making a decision. This makes sure decisions are made consistently.
Warnings
If a tribunal concludes that the PA or AA’s fitness to practise is not impaired, it may issue a warning to the PA or AA. This is not a final measure and does not restrict the PA or AA’s practice.
Reviews
The GMC will either refer the review to a GMC case examiner or to the MPTS to arrange an associates tribunal. A review hearing takes place to decide if a PA or AA's fitness to practise is still impaired and/or whether they are safe to return to unrestricted practice.
Applications for re-entry
If a PA or AA's name is removed from the Registers, they can make an application for re-entry to the Registers after five years. A tribunal will decide if a PA or AA can return to unrestricted practice.