Journal Article: 

• May 14, 2023 10:26 am Dr Saal Seneviratne

This Article Examines The Outcomes Of Restoration Applications Made By Doctors Whose Names Were Erased From The UK Medical Register By A Disciplinary Tribunal Between January 2012 And June 2020.

The outcome of applications for restoration to the Medical Register following disciplinary erasure

Medico-Legal Journal Volume 89, Issue 1, March 2021, Pages 13-18

Bryony KP Milroy¹, Timothy J David², and Sarah Ellson³

This article examines the outcomes of restoration applications made by doctors whose names were erased from the UK Medical Register by a disciplinary tribunal between January 2012 and June 2020. Of the 76 applications for restoration, 30.3% were granted and 69.7% were refused. The most common reasons for refusal were a failure to demonstrate insight (96%), a failure to demonstrate remediation (79%), and a failure to demonstrate up-to-date knowledge and skills (24.5%). UK graduate applicants had a higher success rate (48.3%) compared to non-UK graduates (24.3%), and applicants with legal representation had a higher success rate (55.2%) compared to those without representation (24.1%). The study suggests that doctors who learn from their mistakes, change their behaviour, and provide evidence of insight, remediation, and up-to-date knowledge and skills can be successfully reinstated on the medical register. The findings highlight the challenges faced by doctors seeking restoration, including the difficulty of proving relevant skills and knowledge after being erased from the register. Success often relies on networking with UK doctors for support and supervision or gaining experience overseas. The study emphasises the importance of strong evidence and support for restoration applications and highlights the rigorous assessment process undertaken by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS). It also notes that restoration is not possible for doctors involved in serious criminal offences or offensc related to public safety. The article concludes that while erasure from the register is not necessarily the end of a doctor’s career, the process of restoration requires significant effort and commitment to address the concerns that led to erasure and ensure the protection of public health and confidence in the medical profession.