Chair of new doctors tribunal service appointed

Chair of new doctors tribunal service appointed

His Honour Judge David Pearl has been appointed as the Chair of the new Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) that will manage all fitness to practise hearings for doctors from summer 2012.

The establishment of the MPTS is a key part of the GMC's plans to reform its adjudication work following the government’s decision to abolish the Office for Healthcare Professional Adjudicator (OHPA). The reforms will introduce an even greater separation between the GMC’s investigation work and fitness to practise hearings.  

In his new role, His Honour Judge David Pearl will be responsible for appointing, training, appraising and mentoring panel members. He will report directly to Parliament on an annual basis.

His Honour Judge David Pearl said:

‘The establishment of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service is an important part of the GMC’s modernisation of the adjudication of doctors’ fitness to practise. I am looking forward to establishing this new service and providing further public confidence in this process, ensuring the full separation of the investigatory role of the GMC and the adjudicatory role of the MPTS.’

His Honour Judge David Pearl will take up the post of Chair of the MPTS at the start of February 2012 and the new service will begin the management of fitness to practise hearings during summer 2012.