Health Assessments and Toxicology Testing in Fitness to Practise Proceedings

Where there are concerns about a registrant's physical or mental health, we may require the registrant to undergo a health assessment. This may form one part of a wider investigation into a registrant's fitness to practise. At the end of an investigation, a registrant may enter into a period of medical supervision to monitor their health condition and compliance with any restrictions on their registration.

Toxicology testing is required as part of the GMC's Fitness to Practise proceedings in order to establish:a) if and what substances have been/are being used by the registrant (this is of particular help in health assessments)b) if the registrant has complied with undertakings or conditions (which is of particular help for the purposes of medical supervision).This is mostly done using blood, in particular PEth testing, and hair testing at present, although nail, saliva, urine and breath tests can be carried out at the GMC's discretion.