Chair, Decision Scrutiny Group

As the regulator of dentists and dental care professionals in the UK, the General Dental Council (GDC) plays an important role in protecting patients by ensuring proper standards in the delivery of dental care. We aim to regulate in a way that is proportionate, accountable, transparent, consistent, targeted, and responsive to changing demands, risks and priorities.

The GDC is currently undergoing considerable organisational, cultural and operational transformation and there is a critical requirement to augment our quality assurance methodology across the organisation, including within Fitness to Practise. A recent independent review of this area has highlighted the need to establish a Decision Scrutiny Group (DSG) which will work collaboratively across the organisation to improve the quality of decision making by scrutinising decisions made across the FtP process.  

The Chair of the DSG will provide overall leadership to the group, will chair the quarterly DSG meetings and will ensure that this new element of quality assurance of Fitness to Practise decision making within the GDC fulfils its full potential to fundamentally improve our processes.

The successful candidate will have a strong track record of quality assurance oversight gained in a complex, regulated environment, will bring experience of harnessing quality assurance to drive improvement and change and demonstrate outstanding scrutiny and stakeholder engagement skills. Expertise as a non-executive member or independent chair of a committee, broader chairing skills and an exposure to a regulatory environment would be of particular relevance for the role. The Chair of the DSG will have the credibility and influence to constructively challenge others, demonstrating a strong sense of public responsibility and integrity. Above all, he or she will empathise with our core aim to safeguard the health and well-being of the public.

For a confidential discussion contact Katrina Paget or Jo Boardman at GatenbySanderson on 07834 030501.