Consultants to oppose hearings in public

CONSULTANTS yesterday warned they will oppose any moves, under proposed new legislation, to hold Medical Council Fitness to Practice hearings in public.

The draft Medical Practitioners Bill proposes hearings to investigate doctors accused of serious professional misconduct should be held in public, unless it was otherwise inappropriate.

The hearings-in-public proposal is among a number of measures to create a more accountable system for the regulation of the medical profession.