The General Chiropractic Council closed its consultation in December 2015 on new guidelines for registrants on ‘Advertising, Confidentiality, Consent, Duty of Candour, Sexual boundaries and Using Social Media’. After analysing the results, the new guidance is expected to be published later this year.

The General Pharmaceutical Council published new guidance ‘Good Decision Making: investigating committee meetings and outcomes guidance’ which came into force on 13 January 2016.

The Professional Standards Authority can from 31 December 2015 appeal a decision from the healthcare regulators for which it has oversight on the following new basis by virtue of s.18(1)(3) of the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (References to Court) Order 2015: “(4) Where a relevant decision is made, the Authority may refer the case to the relevant court if it considers that the decision is not sufficient (whether as to a finding or a penalty or both) for the protection of the public.

(4A) Consideration of whether a decision is sufficient for the protection of the public involves consideration of whether it is sufficient:
(a) to protect the health, safety and well-being of the public;
(b) to maintain public confidence in the profession concerned; and
(c) to maintain proper professional standards and conduct for members of that profession.”

The General Medical Council from 31 December 2015 can appeal decisions of tribunals.

The Health and Care Professions Council published new ‘Standards of conduct, performance and ethics’ on 26 January 2016.

The Care Quality Commission on 17 November 2015 published examples of inadequate practice found in GP inspections. They highlighted common features of inadequate practice found in inspections of GP surgeries in England in answer to five key questions that are asked, namely ‘are they safe, effective, caring, responsive to people’s needs and well led?’