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Authority statement on the decision of the MPTS in the case of Dr James Ip

23 Mar 2023

We are aware of concerns about the recently published decision by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) to suspend the registration of Dr James Ip for six months. The Authority has been contacted by doctors who have shared their concerns about the decision and its fairness.

Our Section 29 jurisdiction allows us to assess the outcome of fitness to practise cases on behalf of the public and take action where we do not think they protect the public sufficiently. 

Our Section 29 powers do not allow the Authority to review decisions on behalf of registrants. Registrants have their own right of appeal.

We will not comment on the substance of the MPTS decision at this stage as we have yet to complete our assessment of it. We would also not wish to affect any appeal that Dr Ip may bring.

We consider the performance of regulators and how they are meeting our Standards of Good Regulation through our annual performance review process. We welcome feedback from both professionals and the public on any aspect of how well regulators are fulfilling their role, to inform the review process. Find out more about sharing experience and feedback with us here.

ENDS

Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care
Contact: media@professionalstandards.org.uk

Notes to the Editor 

  1. The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care oversees 10 statutory bodies that regulate health and social care professionals in the UK.
  2. We assess their performance and report to Parliament. We also conduct audits and investigations and can appeal fitness to practise cases to the courts if we consider that sanctions are insufficient to protect the public and it is in the public interest.
  3. We also set standards for organisations holding voluntary registers for health and social care occupations and accredit those that meet them.
  4. We share good practice and knowledge, conduct research and introduce new ideas to our sector. We monitor policy developments in the UK and internationally and provide advice on issues relating to professional standards in health and social care.
  5. We do this to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of users of health and social care services and the public. We are an independent body, accountable to the UK Parliament.
  6. Our values are – integrity, transparency, respect, fairness and teamwork – and we strive to ensure that they are at the core of our work.
  7. More information about our work and the approach we take is available at www.professionalstandards.org.uk