Court of Appeal prescribes help for Doctors

July saw a significant development in the law relating to doctors and dentists facing internal disciplinary action within the NHS and may in fact have a wider impact for all employees of public bodies faced with potentially career threatening disciplinary action.

The case Dr Kunal Kulkarni v Milton Keynes NHS Foundation Trust effectively reintroduces the right for doctors and dentists to have legal representation at internal disciplinary hearings to determine serious disciplinary charges made against them. This is an important safeguard for medical professionals whose only domestic employer is the NHS and who must safeguard against losing their careers on the basis of unjustified allegations of misconduct or capability.

Any medical professionals needing such support should in the first instance contact our Paula Lawn by email on plawn@leathesprior.co.uk or on 01603 610911. Paula, and other members of the Employment Team, are able to offer a range of services to support professionals in these situations, ranging from advice as to how to prepare for the hearing through to full advocacy and representation.