The Medical Council is embarking upon a “transformational change journey”, a spokesperson has informed the Medical Independent (MI).
This process will have a significant impact “across the organisation in its totality”, including on the Council, committees, and the executive, the spokesperson stated.
“One of the most critical areas of transformation to be addressed is that of organisation design – the processes, technologies, roles, and structures needed to enable the Council to fulfil its remit through the core regulatory functions of registration; education and training; professional competence; ethics; research; performance assessment; complaints and investigations; fitness to practice.
“Of equal importance are the support functions that are vital to the delivery of these regulatory functions, including corporate governance; information governance; compliance; legal; communications; finance; HR; ICT; procurement; and facilities.”
At a governance meeting with the Department of Health in March, the Council advised it would go to tender to source “an experienced organisation design company to assist with a phased organisation design project”, according to meeting minutes obtained under Freedom of Information law. “Council provided some details on the planned phase one of this redesign project with changes envisaged to strengthen the investigations and complaints processes and engagement with stakeholders in this regard.”
The Council’s spokesperson told MI it was seeking a “partner organisation that brings significant expertise in the design, development, and implementation of organisation design, with experience in both regulatory and the broad healthcare environment, and preferably healthcare regulation”.
“This tender process is still in progress and no appointment has yet been made.”
The spokesperson said the Council is continuing preparations for changes to the complaints process under new legislation. A key change will allow for complaints to be initially assessed by the CEO of the Council with the assistance of authorised officers, rather than having to automatically go to the preliminary proceedings committee.
“New procedures and guidelines are being prepared by the complaints and investigations team in respect of the new complaints process, all relevant legal input is being obtained, and operational resources are being put in place to allow for smooth implementation. Sanction for additional resources have been sought to support these changes, receiving positive support from the Department of Health.
“The complaints and investigations team looks forward to working with all its stakeholders in introducing the new complaints process and will provide advance notice of commencement dates as appropriate.”
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