Preliminary Proceedings Committee

Once a complaint is received by the office of the Medical Council, it is presented to the Preliminary Proceedings Committee (PPC). The PPC considers all complaints that are received by the Medical Council, however only complaints within our remit are further investigated.  For example, allegations of a doctor being rude, while unacceptable, may not reach the threshold of seriousness to give rise to poor professional performance/ professional misconduct, and so the Medical Council cannot usefully assist in such matters. A complaint could be referred onto the Fitness to Practise Committee if they find the complaint warrants further action.

  • The PPC consists of both medical and lay members.
  • A case officer is assigned to the complaint to assist the PPC with its investigation.
  • Case officers are trained investigators and are trained in the areas of regulatory law, fair procedures, investigative and interviewing techniques, including the interviewing of vulnerable witnesses, and medical ethics.
  • The case officer is the complaints liaison and will be the point of contact for both complainant and doctor.
  • The case officer may request additional information/documentation from all relevant parties.
  • A copy of the complaint is sent to the doctor out of procedural fairness and to provide the doctor an opportunity to respond.

Where the Council considers that an immediate suspension is necessary to protect the public, it can apply to the High Court for an order to suspend a doctor’s registration, regardless of whether the doctor is the subject of a complaint.

What the PPC cannot do

The Medical Council can take action  against a doctor's registration . Our role is determined by law and before submitting a complaint, please be aware of what the PPC cannot do: 

  • Look into complaints about anyone who is not a registered doctor (for example; nurses, pharmacists, dentists, opticians, social workers, hospitals, clinics or other healthcare organisations).
  • Pay you compensation or help you make a claim for compensation.
  • Give legal or professional advice or representation to you.
  • Make a doctor apologise to you.
  • Order a doctor to do something for you such as; provide the treatment that you want, write a prescription for you or give you access to your records.
  • Give you a detailed explanation of what happened to you. This can only come from the doctor or healthcare provider.
  • Give or arrange medical treatment or counselling for you.

If you are unsure as to who your complaint should be submitted to, healthcomplaints.ie provides information on the appropriate bodies in which you can make a complaint to.

Outcomes

Once all available and necessary information is gathered and considered, the  P reliminary Proceedings Committee  will then decide the  next action  to take.

Please note : Council approves each decision made during the complaints process

The majority of complaints do not result in inquiry. While the PPC endeavours to investigate complaints as quickly as possible, on average it takes 6-12 months for a complaint to be fully investigated and a decision to be made.  However, depending on the complexity of the complaint, it can longer than the time period specified.