FAQs on hearings during coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Are MPT review hearings still going ahead?

Yes, we’re holding MPT review hearings. We’re running these in a variety of ways:

• in the hearing centre from 3 August
• virtually
• on the papers.

Parties will be contacted about the specific arrangements for their hearing.

I have an IOT hearing scheduled. Is this still going ahead?

Most interim orders tribunals are going ahead virtually or on the papers. Parties may send queries in writing to iotadmin@mpts-uk.org.

I have an MPT hearing scheduled. Is this still going ahead?

Unless we have informed you that your hearing has been postponed, your hearing remains listed to proceed as scheduled. This applies to all types of MPT hearing, including new, restoration and non-compliance hearings.

Case management deadlines still apply to hearings which remain scheduled. If parties are unable to comply with a deadline, they should set out any request for an extension in writing, to MPTSCaseManagementTeam@mpts-uk.org, and an MPTS Case Manager will review it.

I need to make an application about a hearing. When will it be considered?

Applications related to hearings should be made in writing and will be considered by an MPTS Case Manager at the earliest opportunity. Due to the current volume of queries there may be a delay in responding to applications. Applications should be sent to MPTSCaseManagementTeam@mpts-uk.org.

My case has been listed but I don’t know where it’ll be held. Can you help?

We will make decisions and inform parties as soon as possible as to whether their hearing will be virtual or at our hearing centre. Final confirmation will be provided when the MPTS Notice of Hearing is issued.  

Our guidance on Deciding how to hold hearings from August 2020 explains the factors we will consider when deciding whether to hold a hearing virtually or at our hearing centre.

From September, the majority of our hearings will be held at St James's Buildings. That means parties with an MPT hearing listed from September onward can presume it will be held at St James's Buildings, unless and until they are informed otherwise. 

I'd like to use the Doctor Contact Service. How is it running at the moment? 

The Doctor Contact Service is a friendly, confidential support service for doctors. Its aim is to help lessen the isolation and stress doctors may encounter, signpost useful support material and services and provide information about the hearing process.

This service is running remotely. To contact the Doctor Contact Service please email doctorcontactservice@mpts-uk.org. Provide your name, contact number and a date and time between 10am and 4pm (Monday-Friday) when you're available to receive a call back.

The Doctor Contact Service cannot discuss a specific case or provide legal advice. Please let the team know if you need them to make any adjustments to the service when contacting them on the above email address.

I'd like to use the Hearing Information Line. How is it running at the moment?

The Hearing Information Line allows doctors to speak to somebody, free of charge, about what to expect when attending their hearing and how best to prepare. The service is run by student volunteers from BPP University School of Law, particularly to help doctors intending to represent themselves at their hearing.

This service must be contacted via email in the first instance. To contact the Hearing Information Line and arrange a call back please email doctorinfoservice@my.bpp.com.

When emailing please include brief details of your query, your contact number and details of when you're available to receive a call back. A volunteer will call you back within 24 hours of receipt of your message during the week. If you get in touch over the weekend you will be contacted the next working day.

My hearing has not yet been listed, when will this happen?

We cannot say with certainty when individual hearings will be listed. We are working to list hearings, but as we have a high volume to schedule this process is likely to take some time. When listing a hearing we’re taking into account the criteria explained here.

Parties will be contacted when we are ready to make arrangements for individual hearings, including new and review, restoration and non-compliance hearings.

Can I submit comments about the relisting of my MPT hearing?

Our Case Management Team will contact parties when we are ready to make arrangements for individual hearings, and parties will have an opportunity to comment at that time. However, if parties or their representatives need to raise any urgent issues in the meantime, they may send any comments in writing to an MPTS Case Manager at MPTSCaseManagementTeam@mpts-uk.org.

I’ve made or need to make a joinder application for a hearing that isn’t listed. When will it be considered?

Joinder applications for hearings which aren’t listed yet are being processed as quickly as possible. However, due to the current volume of queries there may be a delay in responding.

Are you receiving new referrals?

Yes. The MPTS is continuing to receive new MPT referrals, but we aren’t able to make arrangements to list new MPT hearings as quickly as usual at the moment.

I've seen additional restrictions have been placed on Greater Manchester. What does this mean for my hearing?

Hearings scheduled to proceed at St James's Buildings will go ahead there as planned. The UK government guidance published Friday 31 July 2020 says: "People living inside and outside of this area can continue to travel in and out for work. Workplaces must implement Covid-19 Secure guidance."

The health and safety of everyone attending our hearing centre is important to us. All areas of our hearing centre adhere to the Covid-19 Secure guidance. We have carried out a thorough risk assessment as well as a significant programme of work to put safety and hygiene measures in place throughout the building.

I am due to attend a hearing at St James’s Buildings. What should I expect when I arrive?

We have put extensive safety measures in place, so we can run hearings in the safest way possible.

Upon arrival you should enter through the main lift lobby on Oxford Street and proceed to the 7th floor, following the social distancing measures in these areas. There will be a limit to the number of people who can use the lifts at one time.

On the 7th floor you will see barriers and floor markings guiding you through to our reception desk, where you should check in. If you are a doctor, you will be allocated a room for the duration of your hearing and our reception staff will give you further details about this and the location of your hearing. Rooms will be allocated for individual use. If you are not a doctor reception staff tell you where you should wait.

Hearing rooms will be set up in a way to allow social distancing to be maintained and we ask that you adhere to social distancing protocols at all times whilst in the hearing centre.

Our staff will be on site to assist you. For your and their safety please follow any instructions they give you and ensure you stay a safe distance from them at all times.

Can I bring someone to support me?

To ensure the hearing centre is as safe as possible we are keen to limit the number of people on site at any time. However, we understand that you may need to bring someone with you for support. Below, we set out how you should notify us and ask that you give two weeks’ notice to allow us to make the necessary arrangements.

If you are a party to a hearing

Please let us know in advance who will be in attendance, so we can ensure there is enough seating space in the hearing room. Otherwise, we will assume no more than the doctor, their legal representative and a legal representative for the General Medical Council will be in attendance.

If you are a witness in a hearing

We would expect no more than one person to be in attendance to support you. A representative for the side you have been called to give evidence for should let us know in advance if you intend to bring someone, so we can make the necessary arrangements.

If you are a doctor

We will assume no more than one person will be in attendance to support you unless you tell us otherwise. If you have legal representation, a representative from your team should let us know in advance if you intend to bring someone, so we can make the necessary arrangements.

If you still need to get in touch you can email enquiries@mpts-uk.org.

I am not sure if my personal circumstances will enable me to participate in the hearing at St James's Buildings. Can you help?

Please make sure you or your legal representative provides us with information about your needs, including any requests for reasonable adjustments, as soon as possible. You should provide this information at an early stage, so that we can explore what reasonable steps we can take to support your participation without delays.

To do so, contact:

• iotadmin@mpts-uk.org for interim orders tribunals
• MPTSCaseManagementTeam@mpts-uk.org for medical practitioners tribunals

What safety measures have been put in place?

We have put extensive measures in place to ensure we are able to run hearings at St James’s Buildings as safely as possible. You will be familiar with many of the steps we have taken, such as floor markings and social distancing measures. There will also be extra cleaning throughout the building, focusing particularly on the areas that are most used.

How have you decided which hearings should take place at St James’s Buildings?

Our guidance on Deciding how to hold hearings from August 2020 explains the factors we consider when deciding whether to hold a hearing virtually or at St James's Buildings.

How many hearings will be taking place at St James’s Buildings?

From 3 August we will be running three hearings at St James's Buildings and we will look to increase this from 31 August.

We will continue to run most IOT and some MPT hearings virtually.

What about lunches and other breaks?

We are keen that you limit leaving the hearing centre as much as possible and advise that you bring your lunch with you if you can. There will be social distancing measures in place throughout the building as well as designated entrances and exits.

If you do need to leave the building, we ask that you follow ours and the landlord’s guidelines around entering and exiting the building and adhere to social distancing protocol when outside of St James's Buildings.

What about the paperwork used during a hearing?

We are currently looking at how to manage the paperwork associated with hearings in the safest way possible.

The guidance on our requirements for hearing bundles for medical practitioners tribunal hearings can be found here. We will contact you if a decision is made that departs from our usual guidance.

Should I wear PPE around the hearing centre or in a hearing?

We will continue to follow UK Government and Public Health England advice. At the present time, there is no requirement for people to wear face coverings in an environment that supports social distancing. But if you wish to wish to wear a face covering, you can do so. We will keep this under review and follow any changes in national guidance.

There may be practical considerations to bear in mind if you choose to wear a face covering whilst giving evidence. If wearing a face covering interferes with your evidence being heard, the tribunal may address this.

How will fire evacuation procedures work?

We will keep this under close review as more people return to the building and in line with any changes to UK government guidance. But given the initial numbers of hearings we’re running the normal evacuation process is sufficient to allow us to safely exit the building while maintaining social distancing.

I want to access the Doctor Contact Service. How can I do this?

The Doctor Contact Service is operating slightly differently during this time. A member of our staff, unconnected to your case, can be available for you to talk to by video link or phone prior to or on the day of the hearing. Please contact doctorcontactservice@mpts-uk.org or 0161 240 7178 if you would like to arrange a time to talk to the team.

What happens if someone in my hearing, someone in the hearing centre or someone else I have had close contact with displays symptoms of or tests positive for coronavirus?

We are following the latest advice from UK government and Public Health England on what to do in these circumstances. We are keeping the guidance under close review and will respond accordingly.

I've been asked to take part in a virtual hearing. How does this work?

Virtual hearings are being held using Skype for Business. Parties taking part in a virtual hearing should read this guidance on how to set up Skype for Business and advice on attending a virtual hearing.

I am not sure if my personal circumstances will enable me to participate in the hearing using Skype for Business. Can you help?

We can provide support before and during the hearing to help parties access Skype for Business (a free app) so they can participate effectively. The tribunal will make sure appropriate support is provided to ensure a fair hearing. If you have a disability, we may be able to make adjustments to the way we approach a virtual hearing at the request of anyone participating in a hearing. We consider these requests on a case by case basis in the same way we do for all hearings.

If specific reasonable adjustments are required please contact us before the hearing, following the instructions in the notice of hearing letter you receive from us. Further information on our commitment to equality and diversity can be found here and information about the built-in accessibility support features of Skype for Business can be found here.

My MPT hearing has been postponed, what happens next?

We are now relisting hearings taking into account the criteria explained here. As we have a high volume of hearings to reschedule, this process is likely to take some time. Parties will be contacted when we are ready to make arrangements for individual hearings.

When will an MPT hearing be relisted?

We are unable to say at this stage when individual hearings will be relisted, but we are working closely with parties to set new dates and public listings will be advertised on our website in the usual way. Relisting a hearing is dependent on a number of factors, including the availability of all those involved in the hearing. We're listing hearings, taking into account the criteria explained here.

Do case management directions still apply to postponed MPT hearings?

Case management deadlines no longer apply to postponed hearings. Once a hearing has been relisted a revised preparation timetable will be put in place. Parties wishing to request case management directions on a specific issue should set this out in writing, to MPTSCaseManagementTeam@mpts-uk.org, and an MPTS Case Manager will review it.

I've made or am responding to an application on a postponed MPT hearing. What happens now?

Applications in progress will not be considered at this time for postponed hearings. Applications will need to be renewed when the hearing is relisted, and the responding party will then be given time to respond.

Can I observe a virtual hearing?

It is possible to observe a virtual hearing, so long as it is in public session. We have viewing galleries at our Manchester hearing centre, which are set up with a screen to allow observation via video link.

You should give us two weeks’ notice if you would like to observe a virtual hearing to allow us to set this up safely. You can do so by emailing enquiries@mpts-uk.org and a member of our team will be in touch.

If you are unable to attend, but are interested in the outcome of a hearing, our tribunals’ full decisions are published on our website within two working days, in most cases.

Members of the press can get in touch with the press office for up to date decisions throughout a hearing in the normal way.

Email: pressoffice@mpts-uk.org

Phone: 0161 250 6868

Can I observe a hearing at St James's Buildings?

It is possible to observe a hearing at our Manchester hearing centre in the normal way, so long as it is in public session. It is possible to do so from the public gallery within the hearing room, which will be set up to ensure social distancing can be maintained.

You should give us two weeks’ notice if you would like to observe a hearing at St James's Buildings to allow us to set this up safely. You can do so by emailing enquiries@mpts-uk.org and a member of our team will be in touch.

If you are unable to attend, but are interested in the outcome of a hearing, our tribunals’ full decisions are published on our website within two working days, in most cases.

Members of the press can get in touch with the press office for up to date decisions throughout a hearing in the normal way.

Email: pressoffice@mpts-uk.org

Phone: 0161 250 6868

What is a hearing ‘on the papers’?

In some cases where both parties agree on a proposed outcome it may be possible for the case to proceed on the papers. This means the case will be reviewed by a tribunal chair, in most cases, without the need for the doctor or the GMC to attend a full hearing. Reviews on the papers are not new, but we will be extending their use where possible during this time.

More information about reviews on the papers.